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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:
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- john3smith200@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. John Smith" <tmmnh72@gmail.com>
Reply-To: j3smth010@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2022 07:36:43 -0800
Subject: Attn:
--
Morgan Trust & Securities
United States of America
Attn,
This is to inform you that we have been Directed by the United
Nations (UN) and the international Monetary Fund (IMF) to pay
your Contract & Inherited Fund by Cash/ Swift Wire transfer.
This seems to be Unconventional Mode of Payment but it was
Recommended by World Bank Auditors/ IMF Observers on the
Payment Delay by Corrupt Bank Officials.
It was Observed that Fake Drafts, Che-ques and Unrealistic Wire
Transfer has Made Foreign Contractors to almost Abandoned their
Hard Earned Money Due to Frustration. This Mode of Payment was
seen as the only Option in Order to Reduce Fraud.
The Cash is Real and Require NO other Treatment. You
will be Assisted to Deposit the Cash to Any Bank of your
choice. Please Indicate your Willingness' to Pick- Up your
Money. Your Cash will be Delivered Directly to your Designated
Address After Proof of Rightful Claim by Forward all your
Detailed Information's. Only USD10MILLION Will be Paid at
this Time. Office e-mail: john3smith200@aol.com
Awaiting for your Response
John Smith
Rev Dr. John Smith
Foreign Operations Unit.
United States of America.
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Anti-fraud resources:
