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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:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. JAVA" <officewest72@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernunion_customer@post.com
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2023 12:24:25 +0100
Subject: Welcome you from Western UnionZ
Attention ,
Your western union first payment of $5000 is about to sent today the
Scam Victims compensation funds of $2.5Million Dollars which was
approved to be release to you by the President of this Country
Mr.Patrice Talon and You are advise to contact us with your full
information such as below and Know we will be sending your First
Payment of $5000 per day until your total fund sum of $2.5 Million USD
have been Completed.
Your Full Name:............................
Your Home Address:......................
Your Country....................................
City: .............................
Your Age:.........
Your Sex:........................................
Your Direct Phone Number:..........................
Your ID copy:............................
For more information contact us
We will keep sending you payment $5000 until your total fund is
Completed $2.5 Million USD.
Best Regards,
Mr.Java Johnson
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Anti-fraud resources:
