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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: Charles Iheka <drjonathanpaul201@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ihekacharles0@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2019 11:34:51 +0100
Subject: Your Payment!
ATTN;BENEFICIARY,
DID YOU AUTHORIZE MRS. GERTRUDE SMITH WITH THE BELOW BANK ACCOUNT
TO RECEIVE YOUR CONTRACT PAYMENT WORTH OF $10.5 MILLION DOLLARS ON
YOUR BEHALF?
BANK: WELLS FARGO
ADDRESS: 500 NORTH CIRCLE DRIVE
COLORADO SPRING
COLORADO 80909
ROUTING NO: 121000248
A/C NO: 2042509535
SWIFT CODE: WFBIUS6S
ACCOUNT BENEFICIARY: GERTRUDE SMITH.
ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?
IS MRS. GERTRUDE SMITH YOUR PARTNER? Meanwhile, you are advised to get
back to my office immediately with the requested details to enable us have
your correct information.
You are required to make your payment choice from the options below:
Details to wire your fund:
1.Your Full Name:
2.Your Full Residential Address:
3.Your Country of Origin:
4.Age
5.Sex
6.Position Held in Office:
7.Present Occupation:
8.Your Direct Phone Number
9. Banking Details:
You are required to make your payment choice from the options below:
BANK TO BANK TRANSFER
ATM CARD PAYMENT
CASH PAYMENT DELIVERY
However, we shall proceed to issue all payments details to the said MRS
GERTRUDE SMITH, if we do not hear from you within the next seven working
days from today.
Your Sincerely,
Charles Iheka
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Anti-fraud resources:
