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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Joan Becker" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <office.of.the_imf@collector.org>
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:36:20 -0800
Subject: Attention Fund Receiver
Attention Fund Receiver
With utmost concern, I am propelled to contact you through this medium concerning your delayed transfer. I understand that you have been trying so very hard to get this claim in your name.
As a fund investigator, The IMF Payment unit has assigned your long delayed payment file to me. I have been obliged to carry out a thorough investigation to ascertain possible reasons and delays on your payment. So far, my investigation has revealed so many facts which i will be willing to let you know once i receive a response from you.
Kindly send the Following:
1. Full Name
2. Occupation / Age
3. Residence Address/ Nationality
4. Direct Mobile number
5. Exact amount you have been expecting.
I assure you that I will have this problem resolved within 48 hours max. My Word is my bond.
Mrs Joan Becker
Investigator
IMF.
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Anti-fraud resources:
