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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:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- johnpress2000@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John Press" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnpress2000@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Feb 2020 13:18:49 -0800
Subject: Attention: ATM MasterCard Owner
Dear ATM MasterCard Owner
First, Let me introduce myself to you. I am John Press by name working with a reliable courier company here in the United States. A package that contained an ATM MasterCard worth $2.850.000.00 Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars. Has been left pending in our custody for months which I luckily to come across after going through the package file I got your contact email address I decided to email you for further action and to also know if you are still alive?
However, I advise you to furnish the below details where you wish your ATM MasterCard to be delivered. likewise, the details I need to facilitate your ATM MasterCard are listed below.
1) Your Full Name:
2) Your Homes Address:
3) Your Telephone Number:
As soon as I hear from you with the above details. More details for the delivery of your ATM MasterCard will be sent to you immediately. Do send your reply to my email address: johnpress2000@gmail.com
Regards
Mr. John Press
Email: johnpress2000@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
