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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:
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "JERRY MILLER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jmilsen1524@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2023 02:06:50 -0000
Subject: FAMILY ASSISTANCE
Dear Sir\Madam
I am sorry if I might infringe on your privacy. I am an executive director and personal adviser to my boss.
I am writing you this message with utmost confidentiality to inform you about some funds which are owned by a former Libyan general and controlled by his Nephew on transit in West Africa now.
The entire family members of the general are There and are seeking help from someone reliable that can help them move these funds into a very safe economy far away from Africa for the purpose of investment.
The fund's owner is very much willing to give a certain amount of this money to any person that could be of help to him and his family as a cheerful compensation. They are ready to welcome you into their home for a face to face discussion if only you could be of help to them.
Honestly, this reputable and kind family needs urgent assistance to move the funds and the entire family to your country or any other place that you think will be safe for them to resettle without the eyes of their government or other authorities being placed on them
This is a very confidential message. The funds are real and are placed in-transit under the watchful eyes of the owner.
Kindly respond to me if there is any way you could be of help to this family with your group.
Best regards,
Jerry S Miller!
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Anti-fraud resources:
