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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)
- 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.
- davidwilson20211@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. DAVID WILSON." <mrfredwilliams69@gmail.com>
Reply-To: davidwilson20211@aol.com
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2021 06:36:57 -0700
Subject: YOUR REAL $5 MILLION BANK DRAFT CHECK IS READY.
Dear Friend.
Please accept my apology for not contacting you earlier before now. Due to
My tight schedules. I'm very happy to inform you about my success in
Getting that funds money. Under the new co-operatives with the NNPC
Partnership here in the United States. But Presently I'm in Paraguay
with the partners for some new projects. And take note this Bank Draft
Check is 100% Genuine And legitimate enough to receive.
I need you to Contact my Priest in United States of America, Because I
have left all
instruction's with him on your behalf. But I need you to comply &
cooperate with him
And then send him. Your mailing address where to send the $5 Million Dollars
to your doorstep. Without any further delay for your compensation Payment.
Remember that. The USD$5 Million Dollars, is in bank draft, and not
cash, so I will appreciate your sincere cooperation and follow up on
this matter.
You are hereby advice to get in touch with him. Here is his email address again:
(davidwilson20211@aol.com) as soon as possible.
Thank you so much. and have a nice day.
Yours Faithfully.
Mr. David Wilson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
