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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:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "ingban1991@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms. Christine R. Wesley"
Reply-To: <ingban1991@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2023 03:07:37 +0800
Subject: Urgent Attention:Dear Friend
Urgent Attention:
My name is Ms. Christine R. Wesley, and i work with the international monetary fund (IMF) I am writing you to let you know that finally your ATM CARD worth $6,000,000.00 used has been delivered through FedEx to Mr. Peter Perry for activation, who works with the (IMF) where it is going to be activated before final delivery to your home address.
You can use the tracking number with the tracking site below to track the ATM CARD to be sure it has been Pending by Mr. Peter Perry for activation.
Delivery Company: FedEx Courier Company
Tracking number: 794801750851
Tracking site: www.fedex.com
You are simply advice to contact our claim Agent Mr. Peter Perry with this information right now: Email Address: ingban1991@outlook.com
Contact him with your data as stated below:
1. Your full name.........................
2. Your full address..................
3. Cell/telephone numbers...............
Note: the only fee you are to send is for the activation of your ATM Card only $125.00 and the fee suppose to pay by iTunes Gift Card or Amazon card or Google play card or Steam wallet card.
Best regards,
Ms. Christine R. Wesley
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
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Anti-fraud resources:
