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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:
- "hundred thousand 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 of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Joseph Albert" <info@chibukumw.com>
Reply-To: <unpap2024@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2024 19:38:15 -0700
Subject: United Nation Poverty Alleviation Program.
Dear Beneficiary.
The United Nations (UN) has authorized us to remit to you the total sum of $2.5million USD (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars). This amount is to be paid to you because of the fact that you were selected as a beneficiary of the United Nations Poverty Alleviation Program (UNPAP) which is held in the United State of America Washington DC, by the United Nations. This program is online with the social responsibility of the United Nations Organization, which is held once every year to change the living status of seven (7) lives around the Globe.
And more than $1 billion of in-kind support to nonprofits and academic institutions. The idea of this Foundation is to eradicate poverty and within ten years from now, there will be notable richness among many unusual people around the world.
Please get back to us with your details below to enable us proceed with the payment, also keep your mind at rest as this is a safe transaction and not those bogus you received online.
Name:
Address:
Country:
Telephone:
Occupation:
Gender:
Your swift response will be highly appreciated.
Yours Sincerely.
Mr. Joseph Albert.
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Anti-fraud resources:
