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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:
- "affidavit of claim" (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. )
- "required fee " (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. )
- "western union" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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 us 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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: Jonathan Crutcfield <geraldmorris01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jonathandaunecrutcfield@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2021 10:40:31 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION
Attention:
In respect of your fund inheritance payment US$33.000.000.00 Million
US Dollars, we the bank Authorities Comerica Bank. (C.B.T), head
office will delivery your a new ATM VISA CARD that will accumulate
your total funds of US$33 Million USD according to the instruction
from our creditor department here in the bank Friday.
After the board of directors meeting held on 1st October 2021 the
total payment was approved for payment to you in new ATM VISA CARD
which you must use to make withdraw of your fund in any ATM slotting
machine around the world with maximum amount of $30,000 USD in daily
payment until you cash the total payment of US$33 Million USD credited
in your ATM account.
And you have to send the required fee of $50.00 USD iTunes card
request for obtain the Affidavit of claim Ownership in your
transaction with government of your fund origin been Federal Justice
Cotonou,the US Monitory Fund Investigation Union head office in Texas
will declare your payment free from any money laundry and terrorism
drug money sponsor activities to enable our service have the authority
of release the payment to you and register it with US MAILING POST for
over-night delivery to your address without delay.
And here is information to send the fee to them or send iTunes card
Steam wallet card because all modality has already been worked out
even before you were contact and noted;
Also all we request from you is to follow our instruction so we can
deliver your ATM parcel to your address today. Send the $50.00 USD
iTunes card or send it from Western Union Ria buy Steam Wallet card
and ITUNES CARD as list following to enable them release the document
today.
Receiver Name::Emma Kanu
Country:::Benin
City:::Cotonou
Amount::$50.00
Send the payment $50.00 Though Ria Western union or buy Steam wallet
card iTunes card or Google Play card $50.00 send (Pin code and picture
here...
Reconfirm the following information to Receiving the ATM VISA CARD
US$33.000.000.00 Million US Dollars
Your Name:
Address:
Mobile phone:
Direct phone number:
Send us iTunes card or the MTCN Control Numbers or Ria reference
number once you make the payment so we can direct it to the right
office imposition to release the document. And immediately you make
the payment to them the document will sign and your ATM parcel will
deliver to your address without delay.
Mr. Jonathan Crutcfield
Chief Financial Officer
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Anti-fraud resources:
