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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:
- "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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- 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.
- email.johncwilliams76@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Christopher Wray <cw20314@gmail.com>
Reply-To: johncwilliams76@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2021 07:40:19 +0100
Subject: joejennfer26@gmail.com
--
am Mr. Edward barr
I have received your Fund Consignment Box worth $8.5 million USD.
Eight million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars in my office
as it could be delivered your home address or through bank transaction
before two young men by name WILLIAM HUGES and JOHN CAMEL came with a
sad news of your death they also claim to be your relatives As they
make enquiry to claim your Fund as it is their rightful inheritance
they told us that you gave them the permissions at the hospital bed to
claim your money before you die we couldn't hand over your money to
them untill we find out that you are dead and if they are truely your
sons please reconfirm with your information if you are still alive and
if you know these two men
YOUR CURRENT PHONE NUMBER......
YOUR HOME ADDRESS ...............
YOUR AIRPORT ADDRESS .......
YOUR VALID ID CARD ..............
YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.......
email.johncwilliams76@gmail.com
text.+19543145566
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Anti-fraud resources:
