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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Antonio Guterres <chukwuemekaezeh2021@gmail.com>
Reply-To: antonioguterres204@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2022 17:12:06 -0700
Subject: UN Foundation Grant.
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United Nations /World Bank Organization
1. 1818 H Street NW .
1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Dear Sir
UN Foundation Grant.
This is to notify you that you have been chosen by the UN and World
bank Organization as quarantine funds to help and fight against the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) The United Nations /World Bank
Organization release out a total of $800 Billion dollars to spread
around the world. You have been given the sum of $2,500,000.00 USD
(Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). Kindly send
the below information for your claims.
•Full Name:
•Residential address:
•Mobile No:
•Age:
•Sex:
•Occupation:
As soon as we have your details, we shall forward to one of the paying
bank because this is not a good time to mail cheque for security
reason, ATM Master Card or Wire Transfer will serve better. We have
appointed several banks around the world for this purpose and time.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best Regards,
Mr. Grandi Filippo
High Commissioner
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Anti-fraud resources:
