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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. )
- 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.
- officeofwellsfargobank@usa.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: WELLS FARGO BANK <revmikedada74@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officeofwellsFargoBank@usa.com
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2022 19:16:56 +0100
Subject: ATTON. OWNER BENEFICIARY
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ATTON. OWNER BENEFICIARY
you are speak with The wells fargo BANK OF we would like to officially
confirm that your ATM card is already loaded with 10.5 US dollars. The
newly activated PIN number will be released to you immediately after
payment of the delivery authorization and payment of the activation
fee for the ATM card of $50
We have hereby assured you that once this fee is paid to the senior
management of this bank, we will not hesitate to complete the delivery
and release your new verified PIN number for withdrawal access.
Rest assured that your package will be delivered to your address
within the delivery time. I am waiting for your answer today we has
already scheduled the package for this week
contact number call or text +1 (540) 617-5221
email contact ( officeofwellsFargoBank@usa.com)
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Anti-fraud resources:
