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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Carl A <romina@ingeis.uba.ar>
Reply-To: carlsnyman708@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2023 15:52:32 -0800
Subject: FYI
Top of the day,
I am Mr. Snyman Carl Anthony., I am a retired auditor from a leading financial firm in South Africa and my email is in regards to my private investment proposition for,.Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only ($9.8M) deposited with a security company in Europe.These fund was realized as a result of the passing away of one of my clients a few years ago, he died intestate and has no next of kin hence the reason I am contacting you to receive this fund by acting as the beneficiary to the said fund. What is required is a trusted partner to confirm the fidelity and legality with the documents in my possession to complete the release process accordingly.
Kindly get back to me as soon as possible for more details.
Kind Regards,
Mr. Snyman Carl A.
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Anti-fraud resources:
