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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 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- al.gervenack@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR JEREMY KONYNDYK" <antonio@cicese.mx>
Reply-To: al.gervenack@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 11 May 2022 12:46:20 +0100
Subject: United States Agency for International Development:
Attn:
We are aware of the damages the covid-19 pandemic has caused to families and communities globally so we are contacting you to assist you and your business with START UP AGAIN grant, we are giving the sum of $1.000.000.00 ( one million dollars ) to individuals that desperately need them to start up again, we have divided our recipient into zones and group so we can be able to reach out to as much people as possible and monitor the disbursement.
If you sincerely know you need this grant, then contact the officer in charge of your zone via their details below with your complete details and any form of government identification card.
Mr. JEREMY KONYNDYK
Email: al.gervenack@gmail.com
SENIOR ADVISOR / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Phone number: +1 605-549-5486
Website: www.usaid.gov
For any question and counseling as regards to the grant funds please feel free to ask any question.
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Anti-fraud resources:
