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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:
- "account opening 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. )
- "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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Daniel Miller <danielmiller1cia@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2023 10:30:38 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION
--
I’m Devon from Premier Bank
am texting you to inform you about
an online banking, we want to open in your favor.
Instructed by U.S. ambassadors to the United Nations -- or permanent
representatives, (USUN ) is responsible for carrying out the nation's
participation in the world body. concerning the implementation of
Scams victims by providing assistance to the victims and giving out a
sum of us$8.4 million USD to assist and help the victims.
Dear sir/Ms immediately you got this message try to get back to us
with your details towards the completion so that you will receive your
funds. …
And it will be deposited into an online account we will open in your
name and address
Please reconfirm your information such as:
full name………………………………..
Home address ……………………….
Date of Birth ………………………….
IDENTIFICATION card …………….
Direct phone number………………
For our easiest communication.
Note that you will pay a $150 for your account
opening fee to shows your seriousness on which
the money will still be yours after the account
is open and your login details is giving to you
to log and confirm the money into the account
Best Regards Smith Director Premier Bank
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Anti-fraud resources:
