joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
 Free trial for 30 days
   jwSpamSpy
Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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:

Fraud email example:

From: "info@webmail.org" <info@webmail.org>
Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2020 12:32:22 +0800
Subject: Webmail HelpDesk


<div><p style="color:#637381;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;box-sizing:inherit;orphans:2;widows:2;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;">
Dear Webmail User,
</p>
<p style="color:#637381;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;box-sizing:inherit;orphans:2;widows:2;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;">
This message is from Webmail HelpDesk to all our account owners. We are currently upgrading our Accounts database. We are deleting all unused WebMail account to create more space for new accounts. In other for your account not to be suspended or deleted, you will have to update your account by providing the information listed below:
</p>
<p style="color:#637381;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;box-sizing:inherit;orphans:2;widows:2;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;">
Confirm Your Webmail Account Details.
</p>
<p style="color:#637381;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;box-sizing:inherit;orphans:2;widows:2;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;">
<a href="http://root.myetsl.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:24px;">click</span></a>
</p>
<p style="color:#637381;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;box-sizing:inherit;orphans:2;widows:2;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;">
You will be sent a new confirmation alphanumerical password which will be valid during this period and can be changed after the process.
</p>
<p style="color:#637381;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;box-sizing:inherit;orphans:2;widows:2;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;">
We are very sorry for any inconveniences this might have caused you.
</p>
<p style="color:#637381;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;box-sizing:inherit;orphans:2;widows:2;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;">
Thanks for your understanding.
</p>
<p style="color:#637381;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;box-sizing:inherit;orphans:2;widows:2;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;">
Webmail HelpDesk.<br style="box-sizing:inherit;" />
Warning!!! Account owner that refuses to update his or her account within seven days of receiving this notice ends up being suspended permanently.
</p></div>

Anti-fraud resources: