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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Philip" <annawarlord@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrphilipthomas6@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2022 20:15:11 -0800
Subject: Greetings Friend
Greetings Friend
I am Mr. Philip Thomas Secretary to your Boss who who left an ATM VISA CARD
containing sum USD $1,800,000.00 dollars with me instructing me to send to
you as soon as you contact me you are to send to me the below information
upon the receipt of these informations, I will immediately contact the
Courier company to know the possibilities of sending the ATM CARD to
you without any delay.
Send me the below Information now to register your
card with the Courier company for shipment.
Your full name......
Your house and office address........
Your current country .......... city or state..........
Your Tel; and whatsapp number...............
Your profession...................
You are to send me a message here on my whatsapp for confirmation of
my message to check my mail and respond to you fast my whatsapp +22665537737
I will be waiting for the above information from you remain blessed .
Thanks
Mr.Philip Thomas
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Anti-fraud resources:
