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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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- mrdenniswilliam7@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MR William Dennis <es.home@smail.plala.or.jp>
Reply-To: mrdenniswilliam7@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2023 17:24:48 +0900
Subject: International Monetary Fund
I’m your new diplomatic agent Mr Dennis William I have been trying to reach you over an hours now I’m Currently in Washington Dulles international airport USA with your ATM CARD MASTERCARD WORTH $10:5 US Million Dollars which I have been instructed by I.C Express Courier Company to be delivered to you please try as much as you can to reach me via my contact Get with this telephone +1(4706556308) Email (mrdenniswilliam7@gmail.com)
This is a Compensation Funds from Empowerment Program run by United States Government or from IMF and United Nations all are being Settled it was discovered that your awarded United Nations Empowerment Funds Worth’s $10:500.000.00 US in United Bank of Africa (U B A) hasn’t been released but United States Government’s has Ordered the United Bank of Africa to release your Funds with immediate affect your Funds has been Loaded in the ATM VISA MASTERCARD to enable you claim your funds at any ATM MACHINE around you
Meanwhile you’re advised to reconfirm your information to avoid delivery to the wrong person
1Your Full Name
2Your Delivery address
3Your Contact Telephone number
4Your Occupation
5Your identification Card
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Anti-fraud resources:
