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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.
- This email message is a orphan scam.
- 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.
- gabriellewillyams@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Gabrielle Williams <dianeelizasoto@gmail.com>
Reply-To: gabriellewillyams@aol.com
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2021 01:14:23 +0000
Subject: Hello dear
Hello
My name is Gabrielle Williams. I am the only child / daughter of the late
engineer Michael Williams. My father was a very wealthy oil and gas
entrepreneur. he also had extensive investments in the real estate and
agricultural sectors.
My mother died with my siblings in a ghastly automobile accident along
Yamoussoukro express way when I was a little child. My father was poisoned
last year by my uncle and my late father business associates for the
purpose to claim the ownership of his farms and business estates
I have the sum of 7.5 million EUR which my late father deposited in one
of the prime bank here with my name as next of kin because I am his only
daughter.
I would like you to assist me transfer this money to your bank account in
your country and also bring me to your country to continue my education.
My uncle is desperately seeking to kill me at all cost because of this
money my late father deposited in the bank in my name.
I would be greatly delighted if you can respond to me after reading this
email so that i can give you more information concerning this money and how
it will be transferred to you smoothly and effectively
I will offer you 20% of the total sum as a compensation for your help and
efforts. I am waiting for your response
Please, you should reply me via my private email address:
gabriellewillyams@aol.com
Kind regards
Gabrielle Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
