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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Francis Lawson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lawsonlawson808@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 May 2019 13:44:00 -0700
Subject: From-Mr Francis Lawson.
From-Mr Francis Lawson.
(Director,Audit Department)
BANQUE ATLANTIQUE
Place Du Petit Marche,Rue Koumore,Lome Togo
TELEFAX- +228-91255837.
Dear Friend,
I apologize for this probably unsolicited email message being sent to you but I had no choice because time is of essence here.I have an over-invoiced amount to the tune of US$5.5Million deposited with our affiliate bank which I will disclose to you in confidence when you respond.Though we have not met in person but I will like to trust you with the above amount if you can prove that I should trust you too and most importantly keep this transaction highly confidential.
The fund can be paid to you via online wire transfer or I suggest a very simple method of payment whereby you open a new online account with the U.S bank and be paid via online transfer.The bank can also simply have a debit card issued in your name & can easily either send or bring the debit card to you in an envelope or someone's wallet then send you the info to activate the card once you confirm receipt.
Because of various impostors in the internet I am on both Skype and whatsApp where we can meet and see each other to build more trust and confidentiality.Further details will be provided to you as soon as I receive a positive response.Again please keep this to yourself till the fund is in your care.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Francis Lawson.
WhatsApp +228 912 55837
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Anti-fraud resources:
