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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Robertos D Muelle <unwbccresolution2142@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <r_muelleriii@rocketmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 10:35:37 +0000
Subject: Re: UPDATE ON YOUR RECOMPENSE
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UNITED NATIONS/WORLD BANK JOINT COMMISSION ON RECOMPENSE
Our Ref: UN/WBJC/2124/01/011
Attn:Recipient
Re: UPDATE ON YOUR RECOMPENSE
Dear Sir/Madam
We of the United Nations and World Bank Joint Commission on Recompense
(WBJC) in relationship with the International Monetary Fund are obviously
pleased to contact you for the purpose of informing you that a recompense
grant of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars.($3.5
Million US Dollars) has been granted and approved in your name and favor in
respect of your immense contributions to the development and emancipation
of the human race in your country in acquiescence with a United Nations
Special Resolution on recompense 2142 dated 27th January 2011.
Appropriately, your recompense is absolutely on merit and should not be a
matter or subject of public discourse or public consumption it should be
accorded its utmost deserving confidentiality.While you are assured your
entitlement is unconstrained and privacy protected.
Meanwhile,while we are obliged to intimate you and ensure that your
entitlement be unrestricted you are herewith directed to contact my office
immediately for further confidential directives on your recompense.Thank
you.
Best Regards
Robertos D Mueller (Director of Operation)
For
Ms. Carman L. Lapointe
Under Secretary- General
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Anti-fraud resources:
