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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:
- "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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Janet Cole <marilobouabre3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: colejanet26@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2018 18:29:25 +0000
Subject: Urgent Help Pls.
--
Dear One,
I am Mrs. Janet Cole a widow suffering from long time illness (Cancer) I
have some funds I inherited from my late loving husband Mr. Dav Cole the
sum of seven million eighth hundred thousand united states dollars which he
deposited in a Finance Firm here and I need a very honest and God fearing
person or cooperate organization that can use these funds for God's work by
uplifting orphans and less privileged ones.
I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this
money. I don't want a situation whereby this money will be used in an
unGodly way. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going.
Please if you would be able to use this fund for God’s work kindly reply me
ASAP.
Your sister in Christ,
Mrs Janet Cole
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Anti-fraud resources:
