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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- ",500,000" (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.
- 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.
- andrew.tandey33@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: International Monetary Fund <andrew.tandey33@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2022 18:32:26 +0100
Subject: PLEASE TREAT AS URGENT
International Monetary Fund
Foreign Debt Settlement/Reconciliation
The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC)
IMF OFFICIAL EMPOWERMENT GRANT AND DONATION PROGRAMME 2022
Dear Sir/Madam
REFERENCE NUMBER: IMF/WDC/1109/0320
We have selected you to receive a Grant Cash Donation of $2,500,000 as
compensation.
For your immediate payment, you're required to send us your complete
details immediately for processing of your funds. The needed details
are listed below:
(1) Your given names and Surname
(2) Your contact home address:
(3) Mobile telephone number
(4) Your nationality
(5) Your email address, Age and Gender
(6) Your occupation and Position
(7) A scan of your International passport or your driver's license for
proof of identity
You're to send your details to us via email {
andrew.tandey33@gmail.com } for processing of your payment.
Yours in Service,
Kristalina Georgieva
(MANAGING DIRECTOR)
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
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Anti-fraud resources:
