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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Sherry Heitler <om871730@gmail.com>
Reply-To: gilbertserge1@outlook.com
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2021 17:36:38 +0100
Subject: YOUR $1.5M COMPENSATION!!!
Dear Friend,
My name is Sherry Heitler and we have been having meetings in our
United Nations Office and have agreed to Compensate you with the sum
of $1.5 Million Dollars and the payment was recently approved to you,
which is one of the latest instruction from United Nation.
Therefore you are advice to contact our chief compensation officer,
Mr. Gilbert Serge and get your payment release to you with immediate
effect. Kindly forward your full details to him on his Email:
gilbertserge1@outlook.com
{1}. Your Full Name:
{2}. Your Home Address, City and Country:
{3}. Your Private Cell:
{4}. Occupation
Preferred choice of receiving payment
(A) Certified Bank Draft:
(B) ATM Card:
Thanks
Mrs. Sherry Heitler.
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Anti-fraud resources:
