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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:
- "processing fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "mrs Inger Andersen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.ingaunn6@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2023 23:24:11 -0800
Subject: Final Word To Your Funds Release
Stop spending your hard earned money. A word is enough for the wise. I am willing and capable enough to help and quickly release your money which you have been expecting to receive years back. Spend no more money and receive your funds in any bank account of your choice. some corrupts officials who you're dealing with engage your money into international Forex trade market where they are making double profit with your money and as a result of that, they keep on demanding some irrelevant fees from you and if you pay now they will come up with another story and ask you to pay again and again and at the end of the day, no success on your payment release. Their intention is to get you frustrated so that they will have time to trade with your money. The only fee you will pay to confirm your fund in your account is your Processing Fee which will cost you only $380.00.you have no other payment to make except the Processing fee.
Please note, I don't have anything against you but your so called partners who have been demanding irrelevant fees from you for no just cost. Already, I have to put a stop on such a bad transaction with your money by withdrawing the transfer service code number of your fund which is the final word to your fund's release. Your US$18.4 Million Dollars is available to be released to you if you can quickly get back to me for better briefing and instructions on how to send the Processing Fee, then leave the rest for me. I will take care of it and make sure your payment is released within 42 hours. Please note that the Processing Fee is a must and very important, so take note of that.
Quickly call me for confirmation or whatsapp me for a fast communication .
Yours
mrs Inger Andersen
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme
Compensation Commission.
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