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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:
- 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:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "mrsjessicaraver@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Jessica Braver" <tatst@taratelco.com>
Reply-To: mrs.jessicabraver@yandex.com
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2021 07:45:21 +0100
Subject: United Nation Covid .39
I am directed by the United Nation as COVID 19 payment Coordinator to compile names of ten [10] persons badly affected by Covid 19 to be compensated with [US$1M] One Million United State Dollars.
I have decided to fix your detail as one of the beneficiaries of the Covid 19 Cash Aid program to be paid the sum of [US$1M] One Million United State Dollars.
We shall share the money 50/50%. [ie] 50% percent for you and 50% me. All I need is your trust that you will keep my share of the money safe.
I contacted you because we are not related and you are not my known friend, no one will suspect me you are included as a beneficiary, because we are not related. If you are interested,
please mail me back for more detailed information.
Please I hope I can trust you to keep my share of the money safe.
Reply to: <Mrsjessicaraver@outlook.com>
Regard,
Mrs. Jessica Braver,
United Nation Covid 19 Cash Aid payment Coordinator.
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Anti-fraud resources:
