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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "are expected to pay " (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. )
- "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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "stay blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- amandambeki27@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr. Vincent Nkosi <pcumming@cyg.net>
Reply-To: amandambeki27@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:38:26 -0800
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY mxbackup1.junkemailfilter.com
My Dear Friend, mxbackup1.junkemailfilter.com
How are you doing today, I wish to inform you about my success in transferring those funds under the cooperation of a new partner from Thailand.
Presently, I am in Thailand for an investment project with my new partner. Although I have not forgotten how you offered to assist me to transfer the funds despite that it fails us somehow. Honestly speaking you are indeed a good friend and a good person to do business with. Hence, I have decided to compensate you with $1,500,000.00 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) from my own share of the money.
I left this amount with a Finance and securities Company as a bond a few days before traveling to Thailand. I left it under the supervision of my secretary whom you shall contact to have everything processed and done immediately in your favour.
I would like you to contact my secretary Miss Amanda Mbeki immediately for you to receive your own share of this money that I left for you.
Please find his contact information below:
Names: Miss Amanda Mbeki.
Email: amandambeki27@hotmail.com
Do contact her immediately and instruct her on how to send this money to you. Please note that you are expected to pay the Finance and securities Company the sum of $250 only for the secure delivery or transfer of this money to you.
Do let me know as soon as you receive this money so that we can celebrate together after all the suffering in the past.
Thank you and stay blessed.
Best regards.
Mr. Vincent Nkosi
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