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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- desmondharvey11@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Jennifer Woods" <info@usa.com>
Reply-To: desmondharvey11@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2022 05:03:08 -0700
Subject: From: Jennifer Woods
My Dear Friend,
Sequel to the previous message that I sent to you regarding the collection of your funds as you have to make trip for your funds to be released to you which I discussed with my consultant and you don't have to spend any money in buying your flight tickets that you will use to make the trips as he will also pay for your hotel accommodation during this trip.
After our discussion today, we finalize that you should contact him so that he will update you in details regarding this trip on how you will receive your funds so kindly contact him via below information:
Consultant person: Hon. Mr. Desmond Harvey
Email address: desmondharvey11@gmail.com
You are advise to contact him as soon as you receive this email with copy of your valid international passport and resume communication with him as I really want you to receive your funds before this month runs out. Thanks and God's bless.
Best regards,
Jennifer Woods
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Anti-fraud resources:
