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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)
- "account opening" (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. )
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "account opening form" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
- carlosmailes01@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "One Million" <info@rina.org>
Reply-To: carlosmailes01@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2023 00:07:01 -0700
Subject: Attention To The Final Fund Release Order
200 Linville St, Newland,
NC 28657, United States
Attention;Dear Friend,
I am glad to announce to you today that a new payment policy has been
adopted and you have been short listed for payment via Online Banking, So
kindly urgent contact UNITED COMMUNITY BANK OF AMERICA where the funds
approve by American government to transfer online into your account
and you are to assure you follow there online payment instruction to make
sure the transaction goes successful.
Below is the contact information of UNITED COMMUNITY BANK OF AMERICA:
Contact Person: Mrs.Caroline Meyer
E-mail:(carlosmailes01@gmail.com).
Endeavor to email her the following information for immediate processing.
FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
FAX NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS:
AGE:
SEX:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
COPY OF ID OR PASSPORT ATTACHMENT:
These are the requirements that you need to be aware of before you contact
her below.
1) You will fill the online account opening form UNITED COMMUNITY BANK
OF AMERICA.
Send her an email in regards to your funds One Million USD that has
been approved by the United State Of American Government to transfer on
your behalf through there online banking service.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs.Caroline Meyer
Costumer Care Service
United State Of American Government
YOUR ONLINE BANKING PAYMENT HAVE APPROVAL
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Anti-fraud resources:
