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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:
- "million us 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)
- "fredjanssen@qq.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mathew Honvie" <info@uba.com>
Reply-To: fredjanssen@qq.com
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2019 19:17:40 +0200
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT...
IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF YOUR TOTAL FUND OF $7.5 MILLION US DOLLARS
I am Agent Frederic Janssen and I am INTERPOL Special Agent and this is to inform you that I was sent down to Benin Republic to secure the release of your fund which has now been credited into an ATM Card by the issuing bank. This decision was taken to assist you secure your fund safely and prevent you from dealing with internet scammers who may claim to be in possesion of your money.
The bank is now ready to hand over your package to me but I will like to have your following details before I can have it sent to you via Courier;
Your Full names...................
Address...........................
Telephone number..................
I will be waiting for your prompt feedback because I have few days more to stay here before going back to United States
NOTE; IF YOU RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE MANY TIMES,IT IS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET ACROSS TO YOU.
Agent Frederic Janssen
INTERPOL SPECIAL AGENT
fredjanssen@qq.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
