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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:
- "million 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Janet Yellen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mikewillington387@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2023 23:04:00 +0200
Subject: *Payment Approved Urgent Notice*
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
During my recent visit to African continents, I dictated so many corrupt and inefficient Banking Systems; I also found out that so many Americans and other Country individuals have failed victims of fraud by some fraudulent individuals. Based on these findings, I have entered into agreement with the international monetary fund and United Nation head office to pay some individuals compensations and you are choosing as one of the compensators of this gesture grant fund approved.
Your payments are supervised by the United Nations Officials by a recognized bank and Finance International Banks as the corresponding paying office and for claiming your compensation of $3 Million United States Dollars, you should respond immediately to enable my office direct you to the payment Bank.
This is my trip photos to Africa for your view https://www.voanews.com/a/us-treasury-secretary-yellen-kicks-off-africa-tour-in-senegal-/6927125.html
Respond immediately for payment directions through Mr M. Willington.
Sincerely Yours
Mrs Janet Yellen
Us Treasury Secretary
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Anti-fraud resources:
