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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "foreign remittance department" (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.
- 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.
- federalministry11@yahoo.com.au (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: LUKEMAN <usmanlambo039@gmail.com>
Reply-To: federalministry11@yahoo.com.au
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 02:38:49 -0800
Subject: Re: FUNDS
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Hello,
Its my pleasure to inform you that you long awaiting funds in the
amount of $900,000,00 USD is ready for transfer to your nominated bank
account however i will advise you to get back to me so we can discuss
on how you may get it transferred to you with immediate effect.
Note that this notice is from the Federal Ministry of finance here in
UGANDA IN EAST AFRICA. Be informed that we are mandated to pass this
information to you after a brief meeting held with the Foreign
Remittance department here in Uganda.
Also I was asked to let you know that this will work for three working
days and failure to comply your funds will be impounded/confiscated
until further notice. So you should try your best and get back to me
now.
Below is the contact address,
Email: federalministry11@yahoo.com.au
Phone Number +256-753197967
Contact Person: Mr Jackson Dues.
Thank You
Mr Lukeman
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Anti-fraud resources:
