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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:
- "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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "sherri cunningham Trust Bank usa.com" <mikepence570@gmail.com>
Reply-To: sherricunningham8@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:21:19 -0700
Subject: Attention;Greetings Dear Beneficiary
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Trust Bank, North Charleston, South Carolina
3356 Rivers Ave
Good Day!!!
My name is Sherri Cunningham From Trust Bank South Carolina USA: This
is to inform you of your Long overdue Payment
outstanding in our Banking records. I saw your name in the Central
Computer among a list of unpaid inheritance claims individuals and
have to update your information
immediate confirmation.
Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a
part-payment of US$35, Million United state Dollars
United State Dollars) and it has been approved already for payment
months ago. However we received an email from one Mr. Edward Morgan
Jr. of Bradenton, Florida who told us that he is your next of kin and
that you died in a car accident last two weeks ago. He has also
submitted his account information’s to the office department for
transfer of the fund to him as your inheritor. Below are the new
banking details as received from Mr. Edward Morgan Jr.
Bank name: Bank of America
Address: 6901 Northwest Expressway Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma 73132
ABA: 103000017 (all other)
ABA: 026009593 (International)
ACCT. #:003042656833
ACCT Name: FMS Investments Inc.
We are now verifying by contacting your E-mail as we have in our Bank
records before we can make the transfer into his account and for us to
conclude confirmation if you are the one who authorized this man to
claim your inherited fund. Please confirm the response immediately
before our action release of the outstanding payment against your name
listed out. I apologized to you on behalf of the International
Monetary Fund Agency towards this contact and proper confirmation
required urgently from you.
Yours in service,
SHERRI CUNNINGHAM:
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