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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:
- "transfer cost" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "offshore account" (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.
- notificationdn@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: F.D.I.C Office<admin@bukamla.com>
Reply-To: notificationdn@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2020 11:23:09 -0800
Subject: FDIC DEBT SETTLEMENT
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
550 17th NW (F St NW)
Washington, D.C. 20429
USA
FDIC DEBT SETTLEMENT OF US$3.5 MILLION 2020
Attention: Fund Beneficiary .
I Mrs. Jelena Mcwilliams of F.D.I.C Office is contacting you regarding your=
DEBT SETTLEMENT OF US$3.5 MILLION 2020.
However, this is to notify you that the President has given a solid Instruc=
tion's to release your fund to you immediately and the Paying Bank has 2 me=
thod of payment which is stated below =
=
There is two Method of Payment below and you are advised to choose one on h=
ow you want to receive your fund from the PAYING Bank.
(1). By Wire transfer cost: (This means that the Bank will transfer
your fund directly to any Bank of your choice).
(2). By Opening an offshore account for you in there bank then you will tra=
nsfer the funds yourself through there online access of the account.
=
In your response back to us, we will then know the method you wish to recei=
ve your fund so that the Paying Bank will start the processing and make sur=
e that you receive your fund as the President stated with
immediate effect.
Your immediate response is highly needed to commence on this transaction.
Best regards,
MRS. JELENA MCWILLIAMS
CHAIRMAN FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
notificationdn@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
