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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:
- "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.
- 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.
- customercarewestgate@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: BMGF ORG <foxyken8@gmail.com>
Reply-To: rowanjameshagee@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2022 06:04:28 -0700
Subject: Humanitarian aid
>From BMGF Foundation.
Reference Code:BMG-BSCS001/C1904/2022.
COVID-19 Fund Applicant
Dear Donation Beneficiary,
This mail that came to your mailbox is not a mistake but was
specifically addressed to you from BMGF Foundation. We got your
profile from social media and we wish to inform you that you have been
randomly and successfully chosen as one of the reliable and
trustworthy individuals to receive a grant of $5,700,000.00 as
community donations from BMGF Foundation. See the link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation
Kindly contact our claim institution {Westgate Finance} via Email:
customercarewestgate@gmail.com for more information and directions on
how to claim your donation. We have sent a letter of authorization to
them in your favor.
You should use this donation to advance the cause of humanity
especially the victims of pandemic and less privilege. The primary
goal of BMGF humanitarian assistance is to save lives and alleviate
suffering by ensuring that vulnerable and crisis-affected individuals
receive assistance and protection.
Sign:
Warren Buffett,
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Secretary and Chief of Impact
Mark Suzman
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Anti-fraud resources:
