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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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mike Odia <jonathanpaul928@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mikeodia7@aol.com
Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2021 12:19:46 +0100
Subject: Sir/Madam
Sir/Madam
I hope my email meets you well. I am Hon. Mike Odia, a top Politician
here in Nigeria. I am Delighted to reach you via email with this
potential Business Proposal that will be of mutual benefit to both of
us.Due to the fear of the Government of (Nigeria) the sum of US200
Million United States Dollars have been moved out to abroad through
the Land border and I urgently need your collaboration to deposit this
funds in your custody. Please kindly revert as soon as possible to
declare your willingness to partner with me in this project.with 40%
which is your share for assisting me, and 10% for any expenses that
might be incurred by both parties in the course of the transaction.
Then the remaining 50% will be for me.
Send me Your full information including a copy of your ID as you reply
to enable me give you details.If you give your direct telephone
number, I will call you so we can talk.
Regards,
Hon. Mike Odia.
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Anti-fraud resources:
