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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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: WFNB <jonesm2026@gmail.com>
Reply-To: janeg5738@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2023 06:30:32 -0700
Subject: YOU SHOULD SEND ME YOUR BELOW INFORMATION.
RE: YOU SHOULD SEND ME YOUR BELOW INFORMATION.
This is to acknowledge the receipt of your mail. Based on the payment
release advised that I received from office , it is good I let you
know that the reason why you are traveling to is for you to go and
sign for your Original Funds classified Document as that will legally
empower the payment officer in your country to transfer your fund to
your nominated bank account details of your choice without any upfront
fee from you.
Go ahead and tell me the exact date that you would like to travel so
that I will be able to pay for your Flight Ticket and your Hotel
Accommodation Details on time.
Be informed that you are not going to spend any money in this
transaction as I am here to make sure that you receive your funds as
the real beneficiary of the funds.
Go ahead and send me your below information:
Your Full Name.
Your Receiving Address.
Your Mobile/ Whatsapp Telephone No.
Your Occupation.
Copy of Your International Passport.
The Name of your Nearest International Airport.
Copy of your Covid-19 Test Vaccination Certificate
Your Bank Name.
Address of Your Bank.
Your Bank Account Number.
Your Bank Account Name.
Swift Code.
Furthermore, understand that you are the real beneficiary of the funds
and that is the reason why I want to compensate you right now so based
on that you should adhere and follow all my humble advice and
instructions as that will help you to receive your funds without any
delay.
Finally, be rest assured 100% that you are not going to spend any
money upfront in this transaction till you receive your funds in your
bank account details of your choice.
Have a good week.
Await your quick reply
Charles Hughes
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Anti-fraud resources:
