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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
- genmbuhari.nigpresid@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Rtd. Gen. Muhammadu Bugari" <genmuhbuhnigpresid1941@gmail.com>
Reply-To: genmbuhari.nigpresid@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 21 May 2022 19:36:54 +0000
Subject: Your payment file is on my table and if you are the real beneficiary
reconfirm your details to me now.
Dear Beneficiary,
This is to inform you that the file of your $35.5 million dollars has
been on my table for a long time and we have included your name among
10 beneficiaries to be paid this quarter of 2022 fiscal year. Contact
me immediately to be very sure that all processing / information are
correct and directly from you to avoid mistakes.
Also forward your names, address and telephone number to me so I can
investigate if you are actually the real beneficiary of the $35.5
million dollars. Waiting to hear from you as soon as possible or we
re-assign your $35.5 million dollars to another beneficiary? if you
fails to reconfirm your details that means your claim is fictitious
and non-existed and would be treated accordingly.
You should send your information to genmbuhari.nigpresid@gmail.com
as I awaits your details so we can move ahead and stay safe with
your family.
Rtd. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR)
Former Head of State & President of Nigeria.
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Anti-fraud resources:
