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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "DR.GRAHAN SAWYERS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.sdcs@consultant.com>
Date: Tue, 23 May 2017 12:32:18 -0700
Subject: RELEASE ORDER FROM UN AND WORLD BANK
Attention: The Approved Beneficiary.
In View of the above stated subject we have been mandated by the UN AND WORLD BANK to immediately release all outstanding debts due in favor of foreign beneficiaries in conformity with the''external debt appropriation act''in favor of all approved foreign beneficiaris and it includes the sum of US$5,500,000.00 (FIVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) Only,in your payment file which have been unfolded as unclaimed recovered inheritance funds in our vault.
This is to inform you that all modalties has been put in place for the onward released and transfer of your funds through Central Bank Of Greece, note that you will be required to travel to Greece to meet with the officials for the processing of the release and transfer of your funds .Kindly contact me immediately for more details.
Regads.
Dr.Grahan Sawyers
FOREIGN PAYMENT SETTLEMENT
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Anti-fraud resources:
