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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 us 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Denis Patta <denisbutte@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dniispattta50@outlook.com
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2021 12:33:54 +0100
Subject: MY D .EA R
My Dear,
Hope you are safe and healthy! My name is Denis Patta. I am a banker
from Togo, I want to do a business deal with you; the amount involved
is US$8,000.000(Eight Million US Dollars) ready to be transferred to
any bank account you have or to you via ATM CARD without any problem
if you agree with me..
I agree to share the fund Fifty/Fifty percent with you or we set up an
investment with the money in your country on the same equity stake
once the fund is transferred to you. I guarantee that everything
related to this fund transfer would be hundred percent legal and risk
free.
As soon as i receive your reply, i will give you full details of this
transaction and the next line of action..
I am waiting your answer.
Respectfully,
Dr.Denis Patta
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Anti-fraud resources:
