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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- 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.
- worldbankplc001@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: " Mr. Charles Bronson " <"www."@cure.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: " Mr. Charles Bronson " <mrcharlesbronson111@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2017 08:21:04 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Good day
Good day
My name is Mr. Charles Bronson and am pleased to announce to you the total sum of (Twelve Million Nine Hundred Thousand United States dollars) from the office of minster of finance head office in California has been signed by ministry of finance in your name to be transferred to you I now please advise that you contact the bank with your information's for your fund claims
Full Name.......
Country.......
Address.......
Phone number.......
Age/sex.....
Please I want you to understand that this information's is to reconfirm your fund to avoid wrong transfer because the bank will not be held responsible for any blow is all the contacts you need to reach the bank for your online transfer.
Bank name..... (World Bank of California)
Bank email......(worldbankplc001@gmail.com)
Thanks and regards
Mr. Charles Bronson
The Bank awaits your response
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Anti-fraud resources:
