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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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Frank Michael <praisewarigha@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fm0349832@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2023 15:19:35 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION
--
Congratulations!!! Funds Beneficiary,
This is Mr.FRANK MICHAEL from the office of U.S Department of
Treasury contacting you regarding 10 Million Dollars Amazon Lottery
Winning Prize in your name, after our proper investigation confirming
the legitimacy of the funds in your name as you are selected as one of
the lucky customers awarded to receive the 10,500,000.00
Amazon/Lottery Winning Prize following the due process to ensure you
receive your funds successful.
For the claim within 48 hours and kindly contact this phone number
(814) 287-9352) for final investigation confirming you are the
rightful beneficiary to receive this funds, you are required to
confirm your full information including:
Full Name;
Current Address;
Occupation;
Phone number;
ID:
Next of kin:
When do you wish to receive the Payments and choose the option of
payment as listed ?
Upon your response with the above required information, we will make
the arrangement to remit your Funds to you within 48hours through
below options;
Bank Transfer_150$
Cash Delivery_100$
ATM Card Delivery_150$
Deposit Transfer_200$
Contact back following due process and we will proceed further on
getting the funds finally remit to you.
Regards.
Mr. Mr.FRANK MICHAEL
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Anti-fraud resources:
