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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
- generalor82@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.JAMES EDWARD" <fedexcompanyofficers@gmail.com>
Reply-To: generalor82@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2021 04:28:50 -0700
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION CUSTOM AUTHORITY
--
I am a Diplomatic Agent from United Nation Organization named Diplomat
MR.JAMES EDWARD, I'm mandated to deliver your inheritance to you in
your city of residence. The funds total is (US$10.7Million dollars)
and you were made the beneficiary of these funds by United Nation
Organization for scam lost and other unpaid salaries, because after
several investigations and research at the internet database we find
you among those that have been defrauded. I am presently in your
Country and before i can
deliver the funds you have to reconfirm the following information so
as to ensure that i am dealing with the right person.
1.Full Name
2.Residential Address/City
3.Age
4.Occupation
5.Direct Telephone Numbers.
6.Nearest Airport
After verification of the information with what I have on file, i
shall contact you so that we can make arrangements on the exact time I
will be bringing your package to your residential address
Regards,
Diplomat;MR.JAMES EDWARD
EMAIL;generalor82@gmail.com
PHONE NUMBER; +1(425) 587-1756
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Anti-fraud resources:
