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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- room_mike@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Thomas Ndokwa" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2023 12:07:54 +0100
Subject: Mr. Thomas Ndokwa
Attn: Beneficiary,
We have actually been authorized by United Nations New
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the governing body of the
UNITED NATIONS Monetary Unit to ensure you receive your approved USD
1,800,000.00 (ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS)
your accrued interest Payment from United Nations Organization through
Federal Republic Of Nigeria.
We have discovered with dismay that your payment has been
unnecessarily Delayed by corrupt officials of the Bank in West African
countries who are Trying to divert your funds into their private
accounts. To forestall this, security for your funds was organized in
the form of your personal Identification number (PIN) ATM VISA CARD
and this will enable only you to have direct Control over your funds
in the ATM CARD.
We are happy to inform you that based on our
recommendation/Instructions; your complete Inheritance funds have been
credited in your favor through ATM VISA CARD.
You are therefore advice to contact our Agent.
Agent Name: Mr. Thomas Ndokwa
Mobile Number: +2348152620416
E-mail: room_mike@yahoo.com
Contact him for the issuance and the delivery of your ATM Card and
make sure your ATM CARD is activated before delivery to your postal
address as instructed. As soon as you establish a contact with him, an
ATM card will be issued to you immediately.
Send the following informations as stated below to avoid wrong delivery:
1. Your Full Name:
2. Your postal address:
3. Your Age:
4. Occupation:
5. Mobile Numbers:
We expect your urgent response to this matter to enable us monitor
this payment to avoid further delay.
Congratulations in Advance as you follow instructions.
Yours in Service.
Mr. Thomas Ndokwa
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Anti-fraud resources:
