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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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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 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.
- paymentvalidationoffice55@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS SANDRA GREEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fundreleaseoffice54@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 2 May 2024 07:46:34 -0700
Subject: GOOD NEWS!! (YOUR PAYMENT /
Attn: Fund Beneficiary
Sequel to the mandate of the United Nations to clear and release all outstanding overdue payments not associated with drugs and terrorist activities to deserving beneficiaries without any further delay. it may interest you to note that owing to the current financial policy on all foreign payments The International Payment Centre (IPC) has approved your payment via any of her cash payment centres in Europe or Asia, the implication of this approval is that every short listed beneficiary must travel to the assigned endorsement office in person to sign the necessary fund release bond before proceeding to the cash payment centre for immediate payment, We are aware of the cost implication/expenses involved on this process knowing fully well that you may not be able to take care of the high traveling expenses associated in this process.
In respect of the above subject we have contracted a seasoned investor who has agreed to cover every expenses needed on this process including your return flight tickets and hotel reservations respectively hence you will not be expected to put forward any money from your pocket on this subject, Please note the investor is demanding 5% of your total payment as his entitlement for the sponsorship, I hope this arrangement is OK by you? it is important you get back urgently with your consent on this Email address: paymentvalidationoffice55@gmail.com, to enable us proceed with the needful accordingly.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs. Sandra Green
Deputy Secretary.
International Payment Centre
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Anti-fraud resources:
