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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "processing fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- 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.
- gregoryallan932@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Daniel Smith" <mrdaniels036@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:33:36 +0800
Subject: Attn:Beneficiary,
Every arrangement prior to the credit of your account to the tune of US$6.5
Million has been completed. As such you should be hundred percent assured
that nothing absolutely will stop the smooth and definite credit of your
account upon the receipt of $3,965. only being the last payment that is
required from you prior to your final confirmation into your account.
As I hinted in my previous mail to you, if you cannot come up with this
payment for the handling and processing fee $3,965. Then I will advise you
to discontinue the transaction. I have tried to humble you.
Get back to me quickly.
Respectfully!
Mr. Gregory Allan.
ACCOUNTANT, BANK OF AMERICA.
Email: gregoryallan932@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
