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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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "consignment " (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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: Bank Of America <winningfund100@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officeagent222@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2021 03:32:53 -0700
Subject: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷
THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE ðŸ¯ðŸ¯ðŸ¯
ATTENTION.
delivery company office.
This is to certify that this consignment box of $5,000,000.00 USD Is
favour of you by the white house United States, is not from any
criminal source,free from Drug and Anti-Terrorist office. The WHITE
HOUSE AUTHORIT DECLARES IT FREE
This is in accordance With the CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE DEGREE, PARAGRAPH
12 SECTION 9s SUB 2B . which states that any funds meant for release
must be certified free by obtaining the clearance certificate to clear
it free from any criminal original Reconfirm us your full information
to avoid wrong delivering such as :
Your full name........
Your home address......
Your nearest airport......
Your email address......
Your occupation........
Your tel phone number....
This your funds delivery has been signed by US president mr Joe Biden.
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Anti-fraud resources:
