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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Robson Lewis <lewisrobson701@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2023 18:53:43 -0600
Subject: Your Inheritance
Dear Friend.
A customer of ours who died (18) years ago in the Tsunami tragedy in
Indonesia leaving behind instate/capital (US$20M) in a Bank here where I
work, till date nobody has come forward or put in an application for the
claim. During the Bank's private search for the late gentleman's relatives
your name and email contact was among the findings that matches the same
surname as the deceased who died intestate with no Will or next of kin. To
maintain the level of security required I have intentionally left out the
final details. Banking regulation/legislation demands that I notify the
fiscal authorities after a statutory time period when dormant accounts of
this type are called in by the monetary regulatory bodies if nobody applies
to claim the funds. I urge you to come forward since I can provide you with
the details needed for you to claim the estate/capital so that I can be
gratified by you, in this way $12,000,000.00 for you and $8,000,000.00 for
me. I will do all the crucial parts in the Bank to have the claim released
to you promptly.Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters
concerning this issue to affirm your willingness and cooperation please do
so by replying to me with your Telephone Number and Your Contact
Information.
Robson Lewis
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Anti-fraud resources:
