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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "tax clearance" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "cotonou" (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.
- mrsgrace721@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: mrs grace <mrsgrace02@outlook.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2020 07:16:58 +0000
Subject: Your ATM Card Approval Funds
Attention Please,
This is to let you konw that your ATM Card approval funds of $1.2million. You have to pay the fee of $125usd for the claim of your Atm card which is for the Non Resident Tax Clearance and the delivery charges. Please do reconfirm me your full details home address/ telephone number where your ATM card will be sent to. Please Contact the below office.
Attention: MRS GRACE
Address: C/ 34 Akapakpa Centra, Cotonou Benin Republic
E-mail: mrsgrace721@gmail.com
Best Regards
Mrs. Grace
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Anti-fraud resources:
