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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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: "Mrs. Sarah Davis" <info@alice.it>
Reply-To: dr.oscarchristopher@outlook.com
Date: Tue, 04 Oct 2022 10:36:19 -0700
Subject: Contact My Secretary
Attn; My Dear
It's my pleasure to inform you that your name appeared in the list of the beneficiaries not yet received their approved fund. Due to over delayed and inability to claim your approved fund, in this regard you are among the 6 beneficiaries approved to receive a compensation sum of US$4.5M [FOUR MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS ONLY] as approved by the Debt Reconciliation Department United Nations Organization. Your fund has been approved and ATM Card has been programmed to be sent to you via courier to enable you withdraw per day USD$9,500.00 equivalently until all your funds are withdrawn by you. You are requested to contact Mr. Oscar Christopher being UNITED NATIONS RESIDENT COORDINATOR OFFICE with the below information who is in-charge of your ATM Card for delivery to your address.
Mr. Oscar Christopher
E-Mail: dr.oscarchristopher@outlook.com
Amount: $4,500,000.00 United States Dollars
Your payment reference code Number; MTM/PTF/0041/22
Kindly contact the above person who is in position to release your ATM Payment Card. Send your information which they will use to send the Card to you.
1.Your full name
2.Your home address
3.Current occupation
4.Age
5.Your current home telephone number/mobile phone number
6.A Copy of your identification
Have a nice day.
Regards
Mrs. Sarah Davis
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Anti-fraud resources:
