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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 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.
- infosmuel@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Christopher A. Wray" <postglo4@gmail.com>
Reply-To: infomblin@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 12 May 2020 09:59:05 +0100
Subject: From FBI- Criminal Justice Information Services Division!
FBI- Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Federal Government Office Address: 935 Pennsylvania
Ave NW, Washington, DC 20535, United States.
ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY
The federal bureau of investigation (FBI). Through our
intelligence-monitoring network has discovered that the transaction
that the bank contacted you previously was legal. Recently the fund
has been legally approved to be paid via Online Wire Transfer or ATM
Visa Card based on your choice. The federal bureau of investigation
(FBI) Washington Dc, in conjunction with the United Nations (UN)
financial department have investigated through our monitoring your
past transaction in Africa.
You have the legitimate right to claim your fund $10.5 Million United
State Dollars awarded to you by the federal bureau of investigation
(FBI) Washington Dc, in conjunction with the United Nations (UN)
financial department.
You are to contact our representative in Benin Republic immediately
for arrangement of Transfer or Delivering your funds.
Contact: Mr. Shamblin Manuel
Phone Number: +229 960 34 707
Email ID: infosmuel@gmail.com
We the federal bureau of investigation decided to contact our
representative precisely in Benin Republic in West Africa for him to
give you procedures on how to send this money to you without any
further complain or delay. We just got an information from the United
Nations (UN) and they said that your funds is ready to be transfer to
you.
You are to reconfirm your personal details to our representative in
Benin Republic immediately for him to start the processing of the
delivery of your funds.
(A) Your Full Name.
(B) Your Direct phone Number.
(c) Your Residential Address.
As soon as he receive the required information he shall proceed to
release your funds to you either by Online Wire Transfer or ATM Visa
Card.
Reply upon receipt of our mail.
Respond Urgent.
Director is Christopher A. Wray,
FBI. WASHINGTON DC.
FBI- Criminal Justice Information Services Division.
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Anti-fraud resources:
