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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Rice Adams <roland.tsounghat@tresorpublic.ga>
Reply-To: Mrs Rice Adams <mrsriceadamsjr@naver.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2021 21:57:10 +0100 (WAT)
Subject: Good morning
Good morning. On my desk is your funds release file with references numbers: FCA/BC/GHX/72/055/01 that has remained unclaimed since its approval till date. There for consider this email as my last notification to you regarding the said funds release because I am under pressure to process and release the funds to Mrs. Sharon Morgan following the documents and power of attorney she submitted today authorizing her to represent you and receive the total funds on your behalf as your next of kin.
she alleged that you are dead, You died of corona virus complications (COVID-19) and while you were in isolation center you personally willed your Funds of $5,500,000.00 to her and authorize her to represent you to receive the total funds on your behalf as your apparent heir and next of kin. Please if you are still alive confirm immediately.
Yours faithfully.
Mrs Rice Adams
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Anti-fraud resources:
