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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:
- "abuja" (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.
- 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.
- markidris@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Elder Mark Idriss" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dirdesk05@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2019 08:14:20 +0200
Subject: From: Elder Mark Idriss, Federal Ministry of Finance
From:Elder Mark Idriss
Federal Ministry of Finance
Abuja Nigeria
Attn:sir/ma
I write to notify you about the overdue payment valued at US$25.3 Million which have been approved for immediate release by the government so i request your attention towards this fund transaction you will not regret it.
For the purpose of this transaction you are therefore advise to confirm the following information as stated: (1)Your Full Names/House Address (2)Your Telephone Numbers and Office Address(3)Your Occupation and a scan copy of your ID,which will enable the delivery/final approval of the above fund to your destination without any further delay.
I shall proceed to submit a letter for claim to the authority in your name immediately i receive your once you reply and interest to transact this business with me.Your quick response will be highly appreciate.
Regards
Elder Mark Idriss
Director Foreign Operations
Email: markidris@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
