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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- wg1677040@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Wiliams Goodluck <westernfunding001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wg1677040@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:45:27 +0300
Subject: Re: Investment Proposal.
Dear Friend
Re: Investment Proposal.
Your contact was picked from business directories in my search for a person
whom I can jointly invest TRUST in and also solicit an honorable
partnership with.
I have an interest to invest in your country in areas related to Real
estate, to initiate a proper and structured relationship; Please let me
know your response to an offer to receive investment funds in cash if:
1. The said fund amounts to Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand (US) Dollars.
2. The said fund is in cash and will be transferred / delivered to you in
the same state.
3. The fund is to be invested through your agency in the purchase of
facilities and assets, for the said purposes within your country.
4.The fund will be under your investment control for three years during
which only the profit will be shared annually 60% for the owner and 40% for
you annually.
5.The fund owners desire absolute confidentiality and professionalism in
the handling of this matter.
More details will be given to you as soon as I receive a word from you with
your Full name and address with your direct telephone number.
Please respond urgently to : wg1677040@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Williams Goodluck
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Anti-fraud resources:
