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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:
- "million 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.
- julietteromualdez@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs. JULIETTE ROMUALDEZ <guest@alfeemania.com>
Reply-To: mrsjulietteromualdez@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2018 18:47:25 -0800
Subject: DONATION FOR less-privileged
DONATION FOR less-privileged My beloved in Christ, My name is Mrs. Juliette=
Romualdez from Philippine. I am a sick woman who has decided to donate wha=
t I have to charity through you. You may be wondering why I chose you. But =
someone has to be chosen. I am 62 years old and was diagnosed for cancer ab=
out 2 years ago, I inherited a total sum of $6.150.000.00 million dollars f=
rom my late husband, This money is deposited in a reliable bank here in MAN=
ILA PHPLILPINE; Presently .This deposit was coded under a secret arrangemen=
t as a family treasure.I have informed my Attorney, about my decision in WI=
LLING this fund to you .please get back to me immediately via my private em=
ail address ( julietteromualdez@yahoo.com )Your beloved sister in Christ, M=
rs. Juliette Romualdez=20
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Anti-fraud resources:
