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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:
- "account opening" (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. )
- "million 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "account opening form" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: mark williams <jj0253106@gmail.com>
Reply-To: markwillian556@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2021 21:44:43 -0700
Subject: CHASE BANK
--
YOUR ONLINE BANKING PAYMENT
I am glad to announce to you today that a new payment policy has been
adopted
and you have been shortlisted for payment via Online Banking Chase Bank, We
hereby inform you that Chase Bank New York have instructed to open online
account with on your behalf to credit your account with the approved amount
of US$15,500,000.00 Million United States Dollars only deposited From
Central
Bank of Benin Republic In Africa as instructed by United Nation
organization,
Further more Endeavor to email us the following information for immediate
processing.
Full Names:
Address:
Age:
Country:
Phone no:
ID:
These are the requirements that you need to be aware of before you contact
us below.1)You will fill the online account opening form, Send him an email
in
regards to your funds $5.5 Million that has been approved by the Federal
Government of United State Of America also Federal Government of
United State and
United Nation Organization.
Contact on this phone number: +1(331) 248-2817
Regards,
Mr. Robert Justin
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Anti-fraud resources:
