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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:
- "from the desk of" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Morgan Holbert <morganholbert551@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 23:18:22 -0700
Subject: URGENT MESSAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FROM THE DESK OF WORLD BANK
AUDITORS, AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE.
Attn: Sir,
Note:
We have appointed the Zenith Bank to pay you the approved $10.5M, they
will activate an ATM Card for immediate dispatch to you. Enclose your
mailing address and the name you want your Card activated on for
prompt claim of your outstanding payment.
Regards
THANKS
MR MORGAN HOLBERT
WORLD BANK, AFRICAN REGIONAL OFFICE
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Anti-fraud resources:
