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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:
- "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 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.
- ambassadorusa89@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Jeffrey Jonathan Brown <mrmikeopostoffice@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ambassadorusa89@aol.com
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2021 01:58:00 -1200
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONDS IS NEEDED
am Jeffrey Jonathan Brown, U.S.A Ambassador, With reference to your
entitlement fund and inline with the CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY'S
APPLICATION, signed by Mrs. Glenda F. Ward with your purported
authorization. This issue has been carefully examined and we have
declined Mrs. Ward's application as the application lacks regular
signature. But Did you ever instruct Mrs Glenda F. Ward to claim your
fund worth 1.5 million united state Dollars? Below is the bank account
information provided by Mrs Glenda F. Ward saying that you authorized
her to claim
your fund that you are terminally ill.
1. BANK NAME: BANK OF AMERICA
2. BANK ADDRESS: Kerrville Texas 78028 USA
3. ACCOUNT #: 3202650
4. ROUTING #: 114922443
If you had not authorized change of your bank account in respect to
your outstanding entitlement Payment, therefore notify me Mrs. Glenda
Ward who claim and stated in the sworn declaration that you authorized
her to claim the said fund on your behalf to a different
bank account in the U.S.A as stated above because you were terminally
ill and the Doctor who is in charge of your case stated that you will
not stay more than one Month before passing away.This development has
caused lots of discrepancies in your payment
file that is why we had to suspend your payment and prompted to
contact you directly before re-validating your payment. You can be
rest assured that I will do everything within my capacity to
successfully actualize the quick transfer of your fund to any of your
nominated bank account.
Kindly get back to us with this email (ambassadorusa89@aol.com ) as
soon as possible so that we can direct you on what to do.
Sincerely Yours
Jeffrey Jonathan Brown
U.S Ambassador
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Anti-fraud resources:
