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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Miriam Zachary <zelox.sec.firm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: miriamzachary101@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2022 12:04:26 -0700
Subject: I need your full co operation
--
Hello
I am Mrs.Miriam Zachary from London. I am suffering from long time
brain Cancer. I'm married but without any children. My late husband
was a foreign contractor for thirty Years before he died.
I am presently in a hospital where I have been undergoing treatment,
from all indication my condition is really deterioration and it is
quite obvious that I won't live more than 2 months according to my
doctor, this is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad
stage
My late husband executed some Contract and deposited US$75.9M with
a bank before his untimely death on 11th of April, 2018. I am revealing
this to you, believing God you will help me actualize my dream without
disappointment.
I have been officially notified by the paying bank with letter of
authorization to forward particulars of my late husband next of kin so
that the money can be remitted into his/her Bank Account.
I want a person that is trustworthy that will utilize 75% of this
money to fund churches, orphanages and widows around the world but in
my name Mrs.Miriam Zachary". As soon as I receive your reply I shall
give you the deposit certificate and account statement and I will also
issue you a letter of authority that will prove you as the new
beneficiary of this fund.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein and
Keep this contact confidential till such a time this funds get to your
Custody,this is to ensure that nothing jeopardizes my last wish on
Earth.
Thanks and God bless you
I await your urgent reply.
Mrs.Miriam Zachary
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Anti-fraud resources:
