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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 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Banco Del Pacifico <pavelmikes110@gmail.com>
Reply-To: foriegn.remittancejames@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2022 21:37:39 +0100
Subject: Your Funds is Now released
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BANCO DEL PACIFICO S.A
Bank address:Francisco de Paula Icaza
200 y Pichincha
GUAYAQUIL, Guayas Ecuador
Dear Beneficiary
I want to inform you that your fund arrive in our bank on Friday 5th
of February 2022.
The total amount that was transfer to our bank from Africa was $50
Million dollars.
Your name and email address was attached to the email we received.
The reason why this fund was transfer to our bank is because it was
difficult for United bank For Africa to transfer money direct into
bank account but here in Ecuador we help them to complete any transfer
to your country.
So you are required to reconfirm your bank account details to enable
us proceed with the transfer to your account.
I am waiting for your urgent reply.
Thanks for your understanding.
Best Regards.
Mr. Roberto Gustavo Carlos
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Anti-fraud resources:
