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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 united states 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ruben Martins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <covid19releifgrant@usa.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2022 16:09:38 -0700
Subject: GOOD NEWS
International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank
COVID -19 RELIEF FUND
Dear Beneficiary
You have been listed as a beneficiary of COVID-19 relief grant under the auspices of the World Bank and the International Monetary Funds (IMF) , this Grant is to support the effect of the present economic meltdown caused by COVID-19 which has ravaged the world, the IMF /World Bank has approved the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United States Dollars) to enable you invest or expand your business/company to boost the economy of your country.
You are to provide your Address, Direct telephone number and a copy of your identification to enable us proceed.
Ruben Martins
Executive Director
COVID-19 Relief Funds
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Anti-fraud resources:
