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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found 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.
- inforosex885@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: rose williams <rosewilliamsx01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: inforosex885@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 08:22:41 +0000
Subject: Your attention is needed please,
Dear Friend I Need Your Help Please
Please accept my sincere apology for this spontaneous message. I am
very much aware of the fact that this is not in any way the best
approach I should have given to an unknown person for the
establishment of any sort of business transaction and or investment. I
was pushed into this because of an urgent pressing need coupled with
the fact that I have no other option at hand.
I intend no insult or harm. My name is Miss Rose Williams . I am 17
years old. I have a proposal which I am convinced within me that you
can handle it.I lost my father six months ago during his kidney
transplant and surgery becouse of covid 19. Before His death.he told
me about fix deposite he made with one of Bank here I am pleading
with you to be my guardian and help me proclaim the said funds from
the Bank and invest it wisely for me while I will continue my
education in your country because my late father always tells me that
education is the key to success in life.
please do everything humanly possible to help me continue my
education.Help me get the funds out from the Bank and invest it for me
Please kindly accept me like your biological daughter
And i will really appreciate your help, respect you and follow your
advice. Contact me on my private email: inforosex885@gmail.com
Yours sincerely,
Rose Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
