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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge sum of money" (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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: JOHN BUDE <ccittogo@gmail.com>
Reply-To: budjohn11@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:35:09 +0000
Subject: benefit
Dear Friend
Good Day Sir.
I am, Mr. John Bude, foreign operation Manager with WCB Bank Togo.
I honestly contact you for assistant to handle this deal with
confidential for the Benefit of the both parties, which involves a
huge sum of money for future investment in your country.
A foreigner (Late MR.VICTOR PINCHUK) an oil Merchant /contractor,
before his sudden death due to (Ukraine- Russia war) he deposited the
sum of USD$8.5M in our bank for his construction work indicting the
claim to his partner but there no one presented us as partner.
This is why I seek for your permission to present you as his partner
so that the fund USD$8.5M will be approved on your behalf for the
claim and transfer into your bank account..
Finally, your share will be 45% of the total money while 5% will
mapped out for any expenses occur and 50% will be for me which I will
invest in your country by your help.
Kinds regards
John Bude
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Anti-fraud resources:
