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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:
- "service 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. )
- "consignment " (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "RGI CO.LTD" <siradzegiorgi302@gmail.com>
Reply-To: info.rgicompanyltd@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2021 01:25:08 -1200
Subject: BUSINESS OFFER
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Good Day.
RGI Genealogical Investigators specializes in probate research to locate
missing funds, inherited funds and consignment around the world. We can
also help you find wills, obtain copies of certificates. Recently a woman
from Rothschild family one of the richest and famous family in the city of
Hesse-Kassel Frankfurt Germany that has been suffering from (hepatocellular
of the liver) and unstable health challenge contacted our company that we
should contact a trustworthy business minded person who is capable to
invest her funds in a lucrative business.
Our service fee is 2% of the funds and we will be paid after you received
the funds. The funds transfer process should take just a matter of days as
we have the mechanism and expertise to get this done very quickly. Please
if you find this letter offensive ignore it and accept our apologies, but
if interested get back to us as soon as possible.
CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION IF INTERESTED AND WILLING TO DO BUSINESS
WITH US.
Warmest Regards,
Dr.Ryan J.Wood, Ceo
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Anti-fraud resources:
