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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:
- "million united state 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)
- "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 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.
- chanceconsult19@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Austin Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chanceconsult19@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 May 2019 02:41:09 -0700
Subject: PARTNERSHIP
Dear Sir,
It is with utmost sincerity and good faith that I wish to intimate you on the beneath business. I got your contact from the internet link I would want to immediately put your mind at rest in that regard. I therefore apologize for infringing your privacy. I am writing this letter with due respect and honor, believing that you will give my request proper and urgent attention. There is going to be absolutely doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this letter, coupled with the fact that so many miscreants have taken possession of the internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business contact to get attention and recognition.
My name is Mr. Austin Smith A consultant base here in London. I represent my client who wants to invest the sum of US$250 million (Two Hundred and Fifty Million United State Dollars) into real estate and hotels in your country. He instructed me to search for an honest and trustworthy person who will assist him to supervise the project. He is a Congolese and the source of his fund is Gold and Diamond. So, if you are interested to partner with my client kindly get back to me asap on this email: chanceconsult19@gmail.com
Anticipating possible partnership,
Best Regard
Austin Smith
Chancery Consults
53-64 Chancery Lane
Direct line +44-7978352906
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Anti-fraud resources:
