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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:
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- infodhs.troy.d.edgar@financier.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "U.S Department of Homeland Security" <ukcustomsandborderprotection@gmail.com>
Reply-To: infodhs.troy.d.edgar@financier.com
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:36:22 +0100
Subject: Your Prompt Response Is Needed!
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U.S Department of Homeland Security
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
https://www.dhs.gov/person/troy-d-edgar
Email: infodhs.troy.d.edgar@financier.com
Tel/WhatsApp: +1(202)983-6554
Attention Rightful Beneficiary!
The United States Department of Homeland Security, hereby write to
guarantee you interest on receiving your funds that worth’s prize
money of US$18.5 million must be delivered in your given address after
we receive the mandatory legal cost of the delivery fees, for the
notarization of your wining file in the high court of justice.
Moreover, bear in mind that our deliver cost US$645.25, which you must
get ready once you receive this email to avoid any more delay on this
transaction.
This will enable this department file for the naturalization of your
wining and obtain necessary approval that will enable your funds to be
delivering to you and in the case of default in payment of your wining
suit; the fees shall be your subject in return.
The claims file shall be processed accordingly , and send to the
designated pay out bank for transfer of your won sum of US$18.5
million it is further guaranteed that we shall handily with respect
and confidentiality entire information at our disposal .
The management hereby confirms that this letter of guarantee is
prepared under the right state of mind. We are also aware and
conscious of the legal implication against the United States
Department of Homeland Security if we fail to abide by the contents
therein.
Sincerely,
Mr. Troy D. Edgar
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
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Anti-fraud resources:
