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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)
- 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.
- michaelcobbins2021@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Ceda Ogada" <queendalineokafor1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: michaelcobbins2021@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2021 01:50:49 -0700
Subject: Hello Good Friend,
Attention please,
I just received an email from Mr. Michael Cobbins the Director Of DHL
COURIER that the ATM CARD valued a sum of ($7.5 Million Dollars) which
was sent to you by IMF (INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND) was returned back
due to wrong address provided.
They need the reconfirmation of the below details:
Your Full Name:
Your Address:
COUNTRY:
Your Phone Number:
Your ID:
OCCUPATION
Contact him with the following information immediately:
Contact Person: Mr. Michael Cobbins
Email: michaelcobbins2021@gmail.com
Phone: +1 915 900 2431
They will ask you to pay for the Delivery Fee, please do not hesitate
to pay it immediately so they will recommence the shipment and also
forward your tracking information to you. Just send me a brief email
as soon as you receive the shipment.
Your registration code is (DHL80387), use it as your subject when
contacting them so they will recognize you and attend to you without
any delay.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Best Regards
Mr. Ceda Ogada
Secretary of the Fund and Secretary’s Department Director, IMF
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Anti-fraud resources:
