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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:
- 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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: office department12 <officedepartment28@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2021 07:37:10 -0800
Subject: ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY,
--
Urgent attention dear.
Be informed that a power of attorney was forwarded to our office
yesterday. It was stated that you were dead. One Mr. Anthony Johnson
came to our office and informed us that he was your blood relation, he
said that he was your next of kin.
He told us to give him your beneficiary fund but we were not satisfied
with his statement yet. He said that you were killed by the raging
pandemic known as(COVID 19). Your total fund is $8.M(Eight Million
Dollars) only.
You are required to send us the transfer fee of $990 in order to
enable us commence your transfer without any hesitation.
Therefore, we want to hear from you urgently so that we will know the
exact truth here. He also dropped his address and phone number for
confirmation.
He said that he would pay all the necessary fees required in order to
divert your fund. Our security personnel will arrest him and persecute
him if we eventually confirm the alternate from you.
You are required to send us your full details such as:
1. Your full names
2. Your Country/City
3. Your bank account details
4. Your phone number(s)
5. Your Occupation
6. Your Marital Status
I await your immediate attention.
Thanks.
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Anti-fraud resources:
