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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:
- "million 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)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: victoria johnson <vj0670404@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2023 15:32:59 +0200
Subject: Dearest one
Dearest one
I'm Miss Victoria Johnson from Sierra Leone in West Africa; I am the
only daughter of Mr. Matthew Johnson, please I have (5.5 million
dollars) that my late father deposited in one Security Company here in
Ivory Coast before his sudden death,
I am seeking your permission to transfer this said fund to your country,
so that I will relocate to your country for investment and also continue
my studies.
I decided to offer you 20% of the total amount for your desire to help
me.
Respond immediately you receive this email for more details about the
fund.
Best regards.
Miss Victoria Johnson
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Anti-fraud resources:
