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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united states 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)
- 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.
- paul.butler79@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Brian Cole <briancole5050@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 May 2020 09:48:07 -0700
Subject: MR.BRIAN COLE.
WORLD BANK AUDITOR
SIR/MADAM
YOU ARE TO RECEIVED A PART-PAYMENT OF FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS
THROUGH ONE OF OUR CORRESPONDENCE BANKS OVERSEAS FOR MORE DIRECTIVES YOU
ARE TO CONTACT MR. PAUL BUTLER WHO WILL GIVE YOU THE CONTACT OF THE BANK
THAT WILL RELEASE THE APPROVED FUND TO YOU. HIS EMAIL ADDRESS IS
paul.butler79@yahoo.com FINALLY, WHEN CONTACTING MR PAUL BUTLER, MAKE
REFERENCE TO THIS CODE 2020/ft/123/E. WITH THAT, HE WILL KNOW THAT THE
INSTRUCTION CAME FROM US.
THANKS FOR YOUR COPERATION
MR.BRIAN COLE.
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Anti-fraud resources:
