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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- norrishill665@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Norris Hill " <"w.ww."@abelia.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. Norris Hill" <norrishill665@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2017 20:52:27 +0900 (JST)
Subject: YOUR FUND TOTAL $10.5MILLION IS DEPOSITED IN WESTGATE BANK LONDON
Dear beneficiary,
Be informed that your funds total $10.5million is deposited in Westgate Bank of London.The deposit of those funds was made by united nation Officer Mr. James Bond.You advised to urgently contact this via email address (norrishill665@gmail.com ) and forward your receiving Information like your contact address and phone to pick ATM master card or wire transfer into your account without any delay.
You should also understand' that payment of $10.5million to you is Expected to be finalize within 5 working days' therefore quickly send your address or you’re banking information for the releasing of those funds to you as soon as possible.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Norris Hill
Foreign Remittance Department.
Benin Republic.
Direct line +229 992 273 60
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Anti-fraud resources:
