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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:
- "affidavit of claim" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: TRUMP <"www."@ruby.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: TRUMP <melaniatrump416@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2017 11:07:33 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Welcome to Mrs Melania trump office
Welcome to Mrs Melania trump office  Â
        I Am Mrs. Melania
Trump and i am here to inform you that your funds from cotonou Benin is in white househere in Washington DC the sum of ($10.8m) us dollars. And thefunds will be delivered to you as soon as you get back to me with your homeaddress and your cell phone numbers. Bear in mind that I am the only one thathas your funds in regard to my husband and you will have to pay the sum of$120.00 to our representative in benin republic for Sworn Affidavit of claim /Custom Delivery permit Order before your funds will be delivered to you todayso get back to me with your home address.
Finally you are advice to email me your emailaddress and password, so I can sort an auto base link in it to protect it andscared it, in other to avoid losing your email address or your fund tohijackers.
Your name.
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Beneficiary country
Phone no.
Address/city
Age/se
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Anti-fraud resources:
