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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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: "Mr. Richard Fisher" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rfisher.w@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2015 14:34:07 -0500
Subject: {Spam Minor 6} Your Consent is Needed
Dear Friend,
This is to acknowledge the receipt of your message. I want to thank you for your cooperation on this transaction which is valued at $56.7 Million Dollars. There is nothing to worry about as this is legitimate. A lot of bank officials make their money through this medium. Funds are always confiscated if they are not claimed within the allotted time frame given.
I have contacted you because you share the same last name with our late customer. As I have said there's nothing to worry about as it will be done abiding to the provisional laid down laws concerning claims inheritance acts in the country. Will need you to be honest with me during the process of claims.
It is important that I note that the bank MUST not know of my involvement in this because following my position I cannot be directly connected to this.
Being an executive of the bank I have exclusive access to deceased file/ On our next step I Will Communicate to You the CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION of the Deceased as Contained in Our Security Bank File Diskette, So That on Your Readiness to Forward Claim Application to the Bank, I Will Direct You and Reveal to You the necessary Information Which You Will Enclose in Your Application to the Bank.
All claims recipients are always directed to file through the bank's attorney. I will provide you with the details in my next correspondence.
The attachment is my id card and my photos, one with my wife so that you can know who you are dealing with. Thank you my good friend for your cooperation. Please tell me more about your self before we proceed. An ID may also be included so I know who am dealing with.
You can send me a text message to my phone number or call +1 646 665 4104
Awaiting your prompt response.
Richard Fisher
Federal reserve system
33 Liberty Street, New York,
NY 10045
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Anti-fraud resources:
