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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 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: "Janet L. Yellen" <mrandrewmartiins3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ustreasury.janetyellen7781@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2023 13:01:21 -0800
Subject: Please Why?
Introduction: I, Janet Louise Yellen previously served as the 15th
chairperson of the Federal Reserve from 2014 to 2018 and currently
serving as the United States secretary of the Treasury since January
26, 2021.
During my tenure as the chairperson of the Federal Reserve, i reviewed
your payment file and endorsed my signature for final Approval to
enable you receive your fund but unfortunately my tenure elapse that
was why i couldn't reach you to know if you received your fund which
was Approved since 2017.
Right now i am in Meeting here in Hong Kong with the United Nations
Director General and other appointees where i discovered your name as
one of the people that are still unpaid.
I am suppose to return back to Hong Kong by tomorrow been 3/07/2023
but i will wait till you receive this fund before i leave here. Your
Approved fund is $7 Million Dollars which will be delivered to you by
ATM VISA CARD to avoid stoppage on Transfer process or demanding of
unnecessary fees by the IMF.
For Immediate Processing of your fund and dispatching your ATM CARD to
your address, you have to send me the below information's.
1. Your full Name:
2. Your Complete Address:
3. Your Phone Number:
4. A copy of your ID or ID numbers for Identification:
5. Your Occupation:
I wait for your response so that i will ensure you receive the ATM
CARD before i come back from here.
Janet L. Yellen
Ex-Chair lady. Federal Reserve Bank
Currently: United States Secretary of the Treasury
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Anti-fraud resources:
