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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (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.
- brusselmark1970@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Benard Uka" <noreply1@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: benarduka2024@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:09:01 +0100
Subject: Urgent Business Proposal
Dear Friend,How are you? I hope you are fine.I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again on this same email address and hope it gets through.I know you will be surprised to receive my message after a long time of non communication. Anyway I want to inform you that I have successfully finalized the transaction with the help of my new partner Mr. Richard Blackman Jr from America. Right now I am in London investing my own share of the money. But I will never forget your good effort and participation in the same transaction even though you did not conclude with me.It was not your fault. Your government financial policy was the issue. I really appreciate your effort.Therefore, we have compensated you with $5 MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS for your past efforts. The total money will be sent to you by my personal assistant Mr. Benard Uka.Contact: Mr Benard UkaE-mail: benarduka2023@gmail.comHe will send the money to you as soon as you contact him. I am busy here in London because of the investment project but will try to create a chance to read your email and to celebrate with you. When you contact Mr. Benard Uka, do not forget to include your contact details to enable bank communication.Best regards,Mark BrusselPrincipal attorneyEmail: brusselmark1970@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
