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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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: Elizabeth Truss MP <dulleyjohnc7@gmail.com>
Reply-To: cm3510110@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2022 03:24:41 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION !!!
Attention:
I would like to officially inform you that the (EU) European Union
committee setup to review your awaited payment Inheritance funds worth
the sum of ₤5.5 Million. To process and pay the aforementioned sum to
you within 30 days, please contact Attorney Calvin Mitchell now to
carry out your payment file.
Name: Attorney Calvin Mitchell
pHONE :+44-745-1281-130
The UK Department of Treasury has retrieved all Files of illegal
transactions and all has been arrested for this act . However, we will
be working under a legitimate arrangement to ensure that you follow
the normal process to receive your fund.You are requested to
Re-confirm the Below information to Attorney Calvin Mitchell .
1. YOUR NAME:
2. AGE :
3. PHONE NUMBER AND FAX:
4. ADDRESS:
5. AMOUNT TO BE CLAIMED: $5.500,000.00 GBP
6. DRIVER LICENSE:
7. SEX :
8: COUNTRY :
Thanks,
Mrs.Elizabeth Truss MP
Secretary of Foreign Affairs United Kingdom
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Anti-fraud resources:
