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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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: "FROMDEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE " <"www."@space.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "FROMDEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE " <mr.jeff.sessions@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2017 05:48:34 +0900 (JST)
Subject: FROM DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE???
This Notice is provided by the Department of justice VICTIM NOTIFICATIONS SYSTEM (VNS). I am contacting you today Because you were identified by the Law enforcement as a victim of INTERNET SCAM.
During our Investigation, we found out that you have been receiving Numerous emails and countless call from people offering you Millions of Dollars but you haven't receive any. I am Attorney General Department of justice Mr Jeff Sessions, i resumed this office as the 84th Attorney General of the United States on February 9, 2017 by Michael R. Pence. During my official research i discovered an abandoned Bank draft cheque valued sum of TWENTY MILLION USD ($20,000,000.00) Belonging to you as the rightful intimate Beneficiary.
I tried to know why this cheque has not been released to you but i was told by the Vice President that the former Attorney General Loretta Lynch who left this office withhold your Bank draft cheque for his own personal use without knowing that her evil plans towards diverting your fund will be discovered.
now that your Bank draft cheque is still available and ready for your receiving .
the Bank Draft cheque has been Mandated to be deliver to your home address through UNITED STATE POSTAL SERVICE.
Your Direct Tel-phone number and your address will be needed and more details of your Bank Draft cheque payment will be made known to you as soon as i receive your swift positive Response.
Thanks for your understanding,
Best Regard
Mr.Jeff Session
United States Attorney General.
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Anti-fraud resources:
