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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 united states 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "summers" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <diplomatincharge5@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2022 09:30:01 -0700
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED
Am diplomat Richard ,i have your fund valued 1.1 million United states Dollars , which i have been assigned to deliver to you .But a woman came to my office and said that you are now incapacitated and you no longer live in your house.She said that you live in a nursing home and that you gave her the authority to claim your fund and you instructed her to use part of your fund for charity .It important you contact me through either my email or send me a direct text on +1(765)287-5878) or you Whats-app me on same number so that i will not make mistake of releasing your fund to someone you did not authorize since you are incapacitated now.Note i will also need your Mobile phone number and the address of the nursing home where you are.Meanwhile as soon as i hear from you ,i will attache her driver license for you to see the woman .
I wait your attention on this matter .
Mr Richard Summers
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Anti-fraud resources:
