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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Lea Fisher <leafisher20200@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:15:43 -0700
Subject: Hello Friend, Interested reply for our mutual benefits
Dear Friend,
Please don't be surprise over this communication. I am MR. LEA FISHER , the
director of Foreign operations department. It is out of emergency as I need
your urgent assistance on transferring the total sum of $10.5 Million USD
(Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only ) in your
account under legal arrangement. This is an overdue contract payment which
was not paid out at the right time as a result of the sudden death of the
beneficiary and his suppose next of kin. This is a risk free deal and I
meant no harm to you at all, so don't think evil on the whole of this
transaction.
Fill the information below if you are interested.
1. Your full name...................
2. Your residential address.................
3. Your private phone number..............
4. Your date of birth...............
5. Your occupation.............
6. Your passport or National ID card........
Upon receipt of the above mentioned requirements I will prepare an
application for claim and file to the bank and once that's done the bank
will approve the payment of the fund and you will open an account with them
so that they credited the total fund. I am waiting for your urgent and
positive response.
Thank you.
Yours Faithfully,
MR. LEA FISHER
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Anti-fraud resources:
