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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- ecowasinf@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Daniel Eklu" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2023 16:46:54 +0100
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE!!!
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) pays 3.5 million dollars in compensation to all scammed victims and those whose email addresses and other personal data are being restored.
Your money will be sent directly to you in the form of an ATM card. The card contains an amount of 3.5 million dollars.
Our official diplomat will take your package to your doorstep to avoid being intercepted.
The information below are required where your ATM card will be delivered,
such as;
Your receiver’s name:------
Country of origin:-----
Address:--------
Phone number :----
Thanks,
Mr Daniel Eklu.
ecowasinf@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
