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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Ms Elvia Attkin <alisum.alimantos@gmail.com>
Reply-To: elviattnursec19@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2022 15:03:33 +0000
Subject: Compliment Of The New Year
Greetings,
I am Elvia Attkin, a Registered Nurse. Apart from being surprised, you may
be skeptical to reply to me based on what is happening around the world on
the internet. I am one of the few United Nation (USRNT) registered travel
nurses here in Syria.
I discovered boxes containing valuable treasures and $100 USA Dollar bills
in the secret coffers of a CORONA-VIRUS victim and when checked, it is
USD$4.7 Million dollars in total. The suitcase and the funds were
clinically tested and are (Negative) of any virus. I have kept the suitcase
safe in a security firm here in Syria. I found you trustworthy to partner
with me in receiving it and we share the funds equally.
Please get back to me immediately and let me know if you intend to partner
or not. If you also do not want to be involved kindly let me know so I
would sever further communication with you.
Regards,
Ms. Elvia Attkin.
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Anti-fraud resources:
