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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:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Richard Clarida <rondave.baker621@gmail.com>
Reply-To: rclarid.fedres002@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2021 16:50:22 -0800
Subject: Re-Information
Dear Valued Customer,
This is to inform you that the United Nations in conjunction with the
IMF have graciously approved $4.5 Million subvention fund in your
favor and have specifically given instructions to the US Federal
Reserve Bank, Washington DC to upload the duly approved fund in ATM
Master Card and deliver the same to you.
In view of this, please re-confirm your receiving address so that your
ATM Card which has already been uploaded with your fund valued US$4.5
Million can be released to a specialized Courier Company for onward
delivery to your home/office address without any hitch.
Meanwhile, do confirm the nearest airport to your location and also
your direct telephone number where the Delivery official will call you
when he arrives so you can await his arrival at your home/office for
the handing over of the ATM card to you.
Awaiting your immediate response.
Regards,
Richard Clarida
Vice Chairman
US Federal Reserve Bank
Washington D.C. - USA
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Anti-fraud resources:
