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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:
- "a reliable and reputable person to handle this" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- stephmensah0001@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: John Albert <johnalbertino83@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 03:38:55 +0100
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL!
Hello, good Friend,
My name is Mr. Stephen Mensah, I am the regional manager of the Financial
Institution Tema, Accra Ghana, I got your information during my search
through the Internet .. I came to know you in my Private Search for a
reliable and reputable person to handle this confidential transaction of $
12.5 million. I write you this proposal in good faith. I have a financial
transaction that will benefit both of us. I await your response to enable
us to discuss this business investment.
Please do not hesitate to contact me in the email below for more
information and other questions for further explanation.
Best regards
Mr. Stephen Mensah
Email: stephmensah0001@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
