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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:
- "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
- waynehamrock001@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Wayne Hamrock" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mailbxe2017@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2019 20:40:23 +0200
Subject: URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED
Attn: Sir/Ma,
I am Wayne Hamrock, head of the United Nations Inspection / Monitoring Division at the Federal Reserve Bank, NY. I am writing regarding your approved payment. I have just been informed by Mr. Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of the US Treasury Department, that on Monday he irrevocably instructed the Board of Directors to grant the foreign bank a foreign exchange approval in your favor.
Following the granting of the foreign exchange approval to the Bank on the recommendation of the Blue Book "Permanent Representations to the United Nations No. 295" of the United Nations Protocol of September 2018, last updated with ST / SG / SER.A / 295 / Add. 5. I have been billed to personally monitor and track your transaction with the bank on or before releasing your fund. I am writing to inquire if you have been contacted or have possibly received your payment from the paying bank? Please update me by e-mail or call in this matter.
Kindly confirm receipt of this email
Yours faithfully
Mr. Wayne Hamrock
FED OFFICER
E-mail: waynehamrock001@aol.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
