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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:
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Melania Trump" <"trump."@ivy.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Melania Trump" <whitehousewashingtondc@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2017 23:56:05 +0900 (JST)
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS THIS IS A WAY OF APPRECIATING YOU FOR YOUR VOTE.
GOOD DAY MY DEAREST!
I am Mrs. Melania Trump and I am writing to inform you about your Bank Cheque Draft here in White House Washington DC, which was brought by the United Embassy from the government of Benin Republic. Your Bank Cheque Draft was brought here in the White House Washington DC, on March 18th 2016. And it has been mandated to be delivered to your address on Monday being of February 6th 2017 to you as soon as you get back to me.
I want you to reconfirm to me the following details
Your full name..................?
Your country.......................?
Your current home address...........?
Your phone number….................?
Occupation........................?
Next of kin.......................?
Your email and password.........?
The above requirements is for Security Reasons:.........
CONTACT MR. WILLIAM: +1 (202) 844-0506
Sincerely yours
Mrs. Melania Trump
THE WHITE HOUSE{OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE US}
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20500 USA...........
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Anti-fraud resources:
