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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:
- "million 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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr David Parker <intermoneytaryfund98@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officehelpdesk005@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2022 00:18:45 +0100
Subject: Awaiting Urgent Response
I just came across your file and discovered that you are yet to be paid
back in full all the money you were ripped off by scam artists, I want to
assure you that all necessary arrangements have been made for you to
receive your money back in not longer than 24hrs, as well as compensations
totalling $35.2 million dollars, along with a Mercedes ESQ SUV.
The Board of Directors, United Nations has ordered our Foreign Remittance
Unit to issue you a CORPORATE VISA CARD where your payment will be
preloaded.
Please reconfirm your information with me to verify your identity against
our database before we can proceed with the delivery without any further
delay;
1. Full Names.
2. Delivery Address.
3. Telephone Number.
4. Your country.
5. Your city.
6. Your Occupation.
Mr. David Parker
World Bank Remittance Office
+1(202)600-9515
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Anti-fraud resources:
