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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 pounds" (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 "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Elizabeth Michael <alimahassanq@gmail.com>
Reply-To: greetins1d@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2021 23:26:50 -0700
Subject: Hello beloved one
Dear beloved one, I am Mrs. Elizabeth Michael, 65 years old, deaf and
a widow. I was married to the late Engr Howard Michael, Who worked
with Shell Development Company in London for Twenty-Six years before
he died in the year 2017 in a car accident. When my late husband was
alive he deposited the sum of £8.500 Million Pounds in a Bank here.
Following my ill health (Cancer of the Lungs) My Doctor told me that I
may not live longer than required due to my health condition. I am
looking forward to seeing someone who can use this money in charitable
works. More details will be made known to you upon your response.
Please get back to me for further directives.
May God Bless You.
Mrs. Elizabeth Michael
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Anti-fraud resources:
