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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Miss.Mary Joshua" <efkgjkg@t-online.de>
Reply-To:
"maryjoshua4investment@gmail.com" <maryjoshua4investment@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:54:26 +0100 (CET)
Subject: I Need Your Help Urgent For Investment
My Friend,
PERMIT ME TO INFORM YOU OF MY DESIRE TO GO INTO BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH
YOU.
I am Mary Joshua 20 years old from Cote D’Ivoire, daughter of wealthy cocoa
merchant late Mr.Lambert Joshua and Mrs.Tina Joshua whom was killed by the
rebels that attacked our country Cote D’Ivoire and took over our town
(San-Pédro). I ran to Abidjan the economical capital of Cote D’Ivoire from
where I am contacting you.
Before the death of my late parents, they deposited the sum of US$5.5m
Dollars (Four million two hundred thousand united states dollars) in a bank
in Cote D’Ivoire in my name as the next of kin.
After the burial of my parents, my Uncle has threatened to kill me because
of this money my late parents deposited in my name as the next of kin. I
seek your permission to help me and receive this fund into your bank
account so that i could come to your country to further my studies and for
investment.
Furthermore, you can indicate your option towards assisting me as I believe
that this transaction would be concluded within a stipulated period of time
you signify your interest to assist me.
I am waiting for your response as soon as possible.
Yours Faithfully,
Mary Joshua

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Anti-fraud resources:
