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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (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.
- 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.
- mrstinajerry7246@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Tina Jerry <williamangel294@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrstinajerry7246@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:05:46 -0700
Subject: Dear Beneficiary
Dear Beneficiary,
My name is Hart Leroy and I work with the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), I am writing you to let you know that finally your ATM Card
worth $10,5 million united state dollars has been delivered for
activation via USPS to Mr.Louis Salisbury who works with the IMF. Upon
activation, your card would be safely delivered to your home address
for use.
USPS Tracking number: EJ428410275US
USPS Tracking site: https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input
USPS.com® - USPS Tracking®
Service / Sample Number. USPS Tracking ® 9400 1000 0000 0000 0000 00.
Priority Mail ® 9205 5000 0000 0000 0000 00. Certified Mail ® 9407
3000 0000 0000 0000 00. Collect On Delivery Hold For Pickup 9303 3000
0000 0000 0000 00. Global Express Guaranteed ® 82 000 000 00
tools.usps.com
Below is the contact information to Mrs Tina Jerry
Name: Mrs Tina Jerry
E-mail: mrstinajerry7246@gmail.com
You are to contact Mrs Tina Jerry with her email address above then
she will guide you on how your Card will be activated and delivered to
your home address.
Please Fill Out The Following Information.
Full name:
Occupation:
Home address:
Tel:
Country:
ID :
Note: The only fee required of you is the activation fee of $50 USD
(make sure you don't send anything above the required amount). Your
card is already with her and you can track it with the tracking
details given to you above for confirmation.
Congratulations once more.
Best Regards,
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
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Anti-fraud resources:
