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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "THOMAS JOHN HOLTON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hmtreasuryoffice836@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 May 2022 12:38:12 -0700
Subject: GET BACK TO ME IMMEDIATELY
Dear Sir/Madam,
RE: YOU ARE TO TRAVEL TO SIGN YOUR ORIGINAL FUNDS CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT.
I write to inform you that your name is among the beneficiaries that will receive their funds of US$10.5 Million (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) this first quarter of the fiscal year 2022.
In view of this good news, I am pleased to inform you that your total Payment Compensation Entitlement of US$10.5 Million has been cleared and approved to be released to you finally through our Offshore Endorsement Payment Centers in Africa and then you come back to Europe or Canada to receive your funds.
Consequently, you are expected to travel to our Offshore Endorsement Payment Centers in Africa to sign your Original Funds Classified Document (OFCD) to legally empower our Payment Officer in Europe or Canada to transfer your funds to you without you paying any money upfront again till your funds get into your bank account of your choice.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO ADVANCE OR PAY ANY MONEY UPFRONT TILL YOUR FUNDS GET TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.
Furthermore, it is very important that you send me the below information to enable me to get your Flight Ticket and your Hotel Accommodation on time:
Your Full Names.
Your Full Address.
Your Mobile Telephone Number.
Your Occupation.
Copy of Your International Passport.
The Name of your Nearest International Airport.
Your Bank Name.
Address of Your Bank.
Your Bank Account Number.
Your Bank Account Name.
Iban Number.
It is very important that you send me a copy of your Covid-19 Test Vaccination Certificate.
Have a good week.
Await your quick reply.
Yours in Service,
Mr. Thomas John Holton.
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Anti-fraud resources:
