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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:
- "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: Bill and Melinda Gates <kirstjen.@theia.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Bill and Melinda Gates <bill.melinda@mail.fr>
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2019 09:01:33 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greetings and Merry Xmas from CEO of Microsoft, Bill and Melinda
Gates! !!
Bill E-mail: bill.melinda@mail.fr
Address: Microsoft corporation one microsoft way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA
Locations: Microsoft locations around the world
Stock: MSFT
Greetings and Merry Xmas from CEO of Microsoft, Bill and Melinda Gates! !!
I am Mr/Mrs Bill and Melinda Gates, I'm writing to Inform you about your Bank Cheque Brought by the (IMF) International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group for your compensation.
The Microsoft has been mandated to Delivered the Bank draft cheque Contains Sum of $29 million USD to your home Address, Get back to me urgently With your personal Details Such as;
Your full name...............
Your home address............
Your Phone number............
Sex/Age....................
Occupation ...............
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Anti-fraud resources:
