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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:
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Beatrice Johnson <beaticejohnson77@gmail.com>
Reply-To: beatricejonson77@yandex.com
Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2019 03:01:46 +0100
Subject: I need Your Urgent assistance.
I need Your Urgent assistance.
My name is Beatrice Johnson. The only daughter of the late Mr. Madou
Johnson. Here in Burkina Faso, i got your Email profile while
searching for contact on internet; I am contacting you to help me
receive some amount of money in your country. So that I can to your
country to continue my education over there,
Before my father died he deposited the Sum of ($4.5Million) in a bank
here and he advised me before he died to look for a faithful and
reliable foreigner, who can help receive the Funds outside country, So
that I can travel to meet you in your country. For my share percentage
of the total amount 4.5 Million.
I hope you are capable to receive the 4.5 Million in your country with
trust. I will like to travel to your country immediately the bank
wire the funds into your account. You will take 30% of the total 4.5
Million for your good and kind assistance to me. I will send to you
the full details concerning the funds immediately I hear from you
soon.
My Regards,
Beatrice Johnson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
