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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "million us 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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr, Francis Williams"<daniel.sontag@tele2.de>
Date:
Subject:
ATM Payment Visa Card
We arranged ATM payment visa card budget 2nd January 2023 total sum of ($2.5 million us dollars) upload through ATM minister of information Zenith Bank Republic of GHANA you has full access to related your ATM direct to your doorstep, And meanwhile your ATM visa card withdraw ($5000 us dollars) everyday payment cashout recommend, I would like to hand ATM budget over to your hands you should comply to the person in charge (Dr, Gabriel Houston) Forward your personal information to his email redacted@domain.name) If you're capable to handling ATM project immediately for delivery of ATM direct to your doorstep within 72 hours in three days, ATM minister say beneficiary ownership fund should pay ATM Airport security keeping fee $380 USD
Your Name---------
Deliver Address-----
Nearest Airport------
Direct telephone -----
Occupation----------
National I'd card or passport ----
await your urgent response
Mr, Francis Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
