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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:
- "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: "Dr. Martin Amado." <a.winzen@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: "Dr. Martin Amado." <zcbenin172@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2016 22:46:31 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Notification
Attention: Sir/Madam.
I would like to let it be known that in a meeting held by the United
Nations in Affiliation with the World Bank Organization and the U.S
States Government, it has been agreed that a compensation of USD$1.5
Million has been approved in your name. This Compensation
program was organized to compensate all the people who have in time
past had unfinished transaction and those that has been scammed in any
part of the world.
This compensation scheme was set up under the United Nations Project for
unsettled debts and scam victims rehabilitation scheme. Your E-mail
Address was drawn automatically web directory through an e-mail ballot
machine, that is why this mail was sent to you
and you are qualified to receive the above mentioned compensation
payment. Your compensation payment of USD$1.5 Million Dollars has been
loaded into a Bank Debit Card which will be delivered to you in person
at your place of residence.
Thanks for your patience, and we look forward to your prompt response for more information.
Best regards,
Dr. Martin Amado. (Regional Representative/Director)
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Anti-fraud resources:
