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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- mrsmelaniatrump778@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MRS MELANIA TRUMP <"www."@mint.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: MRS MELANIA TRUMP <mrsmelaniatrump778@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2018 10:10:43 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Mrs.Melania Trump
I am Mrs.Melania Trump, and I am writing to inform you about your Bank ATM visa card brought back by the United Embassy from the government of Benin Republic
in the
white house Washington DC been mandated to be deliver to your home address once you reconfirm it with the one we have here with us to avoid wrong delivery
5.millions united state dollar that was assigned to be delivered to your humble home address by my husband Honorable president Donald John Trump
the president of this great country this week by a delivery agent Mr. Peter Amous
I will like you to reconfirm to me the following details
Your phone number:.....
Your current home address:....
Your full name:........
Occupation...................
Age............
SEX............
And a copy of your id
Yours Sincerely,
MRS MELANIA TRUMP FIRST_LADY USA.
E-mail mrsmelaniatrump778@gmail.com
Tell +229 69385470
GOD BLESS AMERICA
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, United States
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Anti-fraud resources:
