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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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Eric Mark <ericmark4825@gmail.com>
Reply-To: henrymark9083010@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2023 04:58:28 +0100
Subject:
--
Attention my dear beneficiary I’m Mr DAVE MCKAY
I am the chief executive officer of Royal Bank of Canada ,
I’m here to inform you about your unpaid fund worth of
$62 million dollars by ATM card, your ATM card contain 62 million dollars
This is to let you know that everything guiding your ATM card of $62
millions has been declared and your ATM is very legitimate and genuine
therefore you will receive your ATM immediately today
You have to choose any delivery method of your choice below and follow
the instructions for easily delivery .
(1) DHL courier company delivery your ATM card to you
(2) or do you want the bank to get you the ATM card in your house
(3) or do you want the bank to transfer the $62 millions dollars in
the ATM card into your bank account
Make your choice and get back to me
Best regards Mr Fred Goodwin FRSE FCIBS
Trust our bank and get what belongs to you and live a better live and
don’t forget to bank with use once you received your ATM card from Us
I’m expecting to hear from you soon as possible
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Anti-fraud resources:
