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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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Auditor Verification And Investigation Bureau Department" <prof.williams.wf.org@webfi.be>
Reply-To: prof.williams.wf.org@secretary.net
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2018 16:50:34 +0100
Subject: Auditor Verification And Investigation Bureau Department
Dear Fund Beneficiary
Permit me to notify you about a particular Fund in your name here in
World Bank Fund Management Bureau and Mutual Fund Strategies for some
years now.
All payment approval has been certified. But to my surprise, it remains
unclaimed. I am the chairman of World Bank Foreign Debt payment
committee set up by International Monetary Supervisory arm of World Bank
Group, Setting Prime Financial Institution in a bid to offset
contractors and inheritance foreign debts as to revamp her Economy.
I decided to write you privately having verified and certified your
payment. I discovered that there were some irregularities perpetrated by
the then officials which made it impossible for you to receive your
payment.
I know that you must have received this type of proposal which did not
materialize in the past, but I want you to give this a try and be happy
as I will use my office and my money to facilitate your receiving the
payment without delay or regret, only on the condition that you pledge
your utmost trust and support.
Get back to me and give me your direct mobile phone numbers as I will
unfold further operational modes to making transaction a success in this
quarter.
I anticipate your co-operation.
Yours faithfully
Prof. Williams
Auditor
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Anti-fraud resources:
