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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.
- 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:
- "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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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 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.
- jeromehpowell231@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Federal Reserve Bank <jm1560264@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jeromehpowell231@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2023 07:51:57 -0800
Subject: Contact Him!
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Attention Dear Fund Beneficiary!!!
My name is Mr. Jerome H. Powell the Chair of the Federal Reserve of
the United States. this is to inform you of your Long overdue Payment
outstanding in our Banking records. I saw your name in the Central
Computer among list of unpaid inheritance claims individuals and have
to update your information through this email for immediate
confirmation,Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will
receive a part-payment of US$3.5 million (Three Million Five Hundred
Thousand United State dollars) and it has been approved already for
payment few days ago.
Kindly contact me through this email (jeromehpowell231@gmail.com) with
your full information confirming you are still alive to receive your
funds.
Your full name
Home address
Direct phone number
Valid ID Card
Date of birth
Yours in Service,
Mr, Jerome H. Powell
Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States
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Anti-fraud resources:
