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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer into your account" (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: Mr John Christopher <mpauljo30@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrjohnchristo12@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 4 May 2022 11:38:49 +0000
Subject: Re: Top Secret From: Mr John Christopher,
Dear friend,
I hope this letter meets you in good health. I am writing to solicit
your assistance in the Transfer of US$14,000,000.00 Dollars.
I am willing to transfer the fund and, invest in your country through
your assistance only if you will be willing work with me. I am in
Ghana presently and I would like to transfer into your account and
invest in your country if possible.
The fund is being held under a Non-investment account with SCB Ghana
Limited. I will program your name on the account holding the fund as
the original depositor and then process outward remittance of the
funds to you.
You will get 45% of the total funds for your role plus investment of
my portion under a documented working agreement.
Please get back to me with your response alongside your physical
contact address/telephone number and we will move quickly to
consummate the deal.
With regards
Mr. John Christopher
SCB Ghana Ltd.
Obuasi Branch, Ghana
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Anti-fraud resources:
