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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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (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: "Mr.John Williams" <diplomatic.ns@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dhloffice2632@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2022 04:27:51 -0800
Subject: Attention And Greetings
Attention My Dear how are you doing today I hope all is well with you
together with your family?
Please I’m very sorry to inform you that My Name is Mr.John Williams
and I’m working for Benin Republic as assistant Director over Four
Years ago and I was transferred to our breach in United states of
America
five days ago, with your ATM parcel worth sum of $5,5 million US
dollars with your EMAIL ON IT only,
I will advise you to reconfirm your full information
your name:
your home address:
your country:
Your phone number:
Your nearest Airport:
Your occupation:
Your age and sex:
your ID cards
immediately to enable our delivery Agent here in the United states of
America help us complete the delivering of your ATM parcel okay,
waiting for your urgent response immediately you receive this message
please.
Mr.John Williams
assistant Director of UNITED NATIONS WORLDWIDE
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Anti-fraud resources:
