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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:
- "stamp duty" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- ",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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: SENATE COMMITTEE <johnsonede11@gmail.com>
Reply-To: info90000@daum.net
Date: Mon, 2 May 2022 17:53:01 +0100
Subject: Overdue Payment Approval From Senate Committee
OFFICE OF THE SENATE HOUSE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
(RESOLUTIONPANEL ON CONTRACT PAYMENT)
IKOYI-LAGOS NIGERIA
Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB Your ref:
Dear Beneficiary,
After due vetting and evaluation of your overdue payment file with
Your payment code: (147118) we were meant to understand from our
Findings that you have been going through hard ways by paying allot of
Charges to see to the release of your fund ($5,000,000,00) , which
has been delayed because of the handwork of some miscreant
elements from Africa Nigeria.
We the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria has agreed to waive all
charges to enable you receive your fund as soon as possible but you
are only expected to pay for STAMP DUTY AND NOTARIZATION FEE of $110
so you are advice to reply immediately.
Your swift response is needed. I will be waiting for your information
as soon as possible.
Your name...........................................
Age.................................................
Sex.................................................
Country.............................................
Occupation..........................................
Phone number.................................
Best Regards
DR. OSAI N. OSAI
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
( Federal Republic of Nigeria )
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Anti-fraud resources:
