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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:
- "huge amount of money" (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: Alejandro Mayorkas <kingmartial6@gmail.com>
Reply-To: homelands964@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 30 May 2022 01:37:38 -0700
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION!!!
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My name is Alejandro Mayorkas the Director Of Homeland Security (DHS).
I am writing you concerning a situation which has come to my notice
and I would like to hear from you as soon as possible.
An ATM CARD containing a very huge amount of money $10.5 Million Fund
has been in our custody for about two months now and we’re made to
know it belongs to you by the White House. We’re also made to let you
know that you will need to obtain a Release Order Certificate for the
delivery of the ATM card. You have to get back to us as soon as
possible.
Thanks
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Anti-fraud resources:
