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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:
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Melania Trump" <"WWW."@road.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mrs.Melania Trump" <melaniatrump1@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2017 01:43:53 +0900 (JST)
Subject: THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF USA
THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF USA
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20500 USA
GOOD DAY MY DEAREST!
I'm Mrs. Melania Trump and I am written to inform you about your Bank Cheque Draft brought by United Embassy from the government of Benin Republic to the white house Washington DC and has been mandated to be delivered to your address on Friday being of may 26th 2017, You are required to summit the following personal details listed below to avoid wrong delivery process as soon as possible.
Your Full Names................
Your Next of Kin Name.........
Your Date of Birth...............
Your Current Home Address...........
Your Telephone Number..............
Your Occupation............
Your Country..............
Your City..................
Your Nearest Airport................
Your ID Card In Attachment.................
Here is my number (202) 897-1729 you can only send me an SMS,
but i prefer SMS be cause I'm always busy in the white house and I cant be able to pick calls all the time.
I will be waiting to hear from you immediately,
God bless America and also bless you too.
Sincerely
Mrs.Melania Trump
First Lady
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Anti-fraud resources:
