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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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "tax clearance" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- 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.
- worldbankamerican892@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: good news <niajhakibs921@gmail.com>
Reply-To: worldbankamerican892@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2023 06:29:12 -0700
Subject: Greetings to you fellow citizen
--
Greetings to you fellow citizen
Following the instruction to pay all
victims $1.8 Million each by IMF through World Bank
service, we wish to inform you that your email Address was
one of the lucky ones to receive this prize. You will be
receiving your $1.8 Million by ATM Card Delivery.
to make sure that there is no mistake;
your delivery information must be forwarded now to us to
confirm the following:
1.Your Name
2.Your Address
3.Your Phone
3.Your Text phone
4.Your Occupation
5.Your Age
6.Your Country
7.Your State
8.Your ID
The above information should be
directed to: World Bank,
My phone number WhatsApp or text +1(781) 923-0817
worldbankamerican892@gmail.com
secret code: MGX678G. Note: Your file
will expire after 7 days if there is no response, then we
will not have any option than to return your fund to IMF as
swift response will enhance our service, thanks for your
co-operation
you only have to pay for tax clearance certificate this is the only cost
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Anti-fraud resources:
