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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
- abdoul.hassan01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Abdoul Hassan <mr.bello.usman1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: abdoul.hassan01@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2021 04:57:21 -0800
Subject: I want to seek your assistance
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Greeting to you!!!
Mr Abdoul Hassan
abdoul.hassan01@gmail.com
Dear partner
My name is Mr Abdoul Hassan. I am working with one of the prime banks in
Burkina Faso. Here in this bank existed a dormant account for many
years, which belong to one of our late foreign customer. Theamount in
this account stands at Twenty Two Million and Five Hundred Thousand
united state dollars ($22.500 000mUSD).
I want a foreign account where the bank will transfer this fund. know
you would be surprised to read this message, especially from someone
relatively unknown to you. But, do not worry yourself so much. This is
a genuine, risk free and legal business transaction.
Reply back to me urgently, if you are interested. All details shall
be sent to you once I hear from you.
Reply with your full information’s.
Individual name.............................................
Residential address.................................
Mobile number...................................
Occupation.................................
Personal mail.................
Your age.................
Best regards,
Mr Abdoul Hassan
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Anti-fraud resources:
