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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Patrick Enam <adusahmreric@gmail.com>
Reply-To: enapatrick47@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:51:22 -1100
Subject: Re: My Proposal
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Dear Sir/Ma'am,
I am writing to discuss the opportunity to work with you or your company on
a business transaction of US$15,000,000.00 only. I began working on this
project last two months and am submitting a proposed action plan for your
review.
I intend to transfer the fund and invest in your country with your
assistance. The fund is deposited under a Non-investment account with
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana. I will program your name on the account as
the original depositor while the bank will process the outward remittance
of the funds to you.
You will get a 45% commission of the total funds for your role plus the
investment of my portion under a documented working agreement in your
country.
If you would like to move forward with my proposal, please reply so we can
begin discussing and planning the next steps. I will follow up with you
through email.
Thank you kindly for reviewing my proposal. If you have additional
questions, I am available by email.
Sincerely,
Mr. Patrick Enam
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Anti-fraud resources:
