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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:
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- mrssandra988@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Sandra <mkg830596@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrssandra988@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2023 02:07:42 -0700
Subject: Hello My Dearest,
Hello My Dearest Good Friend
Greeting to you in the name of our Lord Amen. I pray this mail will
meet you and your family in good health. I know you don't know me and
this message might come to you as a surprise but Because of the Good
Reputable Information I gathered about you I want to use this
opportunity to write you a very Serious urgent Matter but due to for
security Reason, I can not Explain any information about my self here
now.
I will tell you more about me and my family when i receive your reply.
I have decided to make you my friend because we worship the same God
for this divine call, I would like to distribute the funds US$20.5M
(Twenty million Five hundred thousand United State Dollars) my late
husband deposited with a trusted bank to charity organizations and for
the work of God and also to invest part of the fund In your country
through you.
If I can trust you for the better future of my Son/ investment. I
propose 20% to you for your assistance. If you would be interested In
such a divine call opportunity. Reply me very urgent for more details.
please do contact me on my private email(mrssandra988@gmail.com)
God Bless you and your family
Mrs Sandra
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Anti-fraud resources:
