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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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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.
- 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.
- unitedbankforafrica493@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: United Bank For Africa <info.treasurydepartbenin13@gmail.com>
Reply-To: unitedbankforafrica493@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:34:19 +0100
Subject: Attn :Fund Beneficiary
Attn :fund beneficiary
This is to officially inform you that the united bank of Africa Benin
Branch has concluded in the meeting today over your long overdue
Contract payment and agreed that your payment worth us$10.500, 000.00
Will be released to you through ATM VISA card which will be
delivered to you directly to your home address.
You have to reply back to us as soon as possible with your delivery
Info’s as stated below to enable the dhl courier shipping department
Proceed with the immediate dispatch tomorrow morning on your behalf.
Contact info. Unitedbankforafrica493@gmail.com
Full name_______
Home address________
Current phone number_______
Nearest airport _______
Get back to us with the above info's as soon as you receive this email
To enable us proceed with your delivery
Yours in service,
Mrs angela aneke
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Anti-fraud resources:
