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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: JAMES GRILLO <jgrillo3@virgilio.it>
Reply-To: jamesgrillos@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 20:50:48 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: RE
FROM:CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
This is to officially inform you that your funds
of (US$ 10M) has been approved for immediate delivery to you by cash payment
via Consignment delivery to your door step delivery to you.For the purpose of
clearification,you are advised to reconfirm:full name /address/ phone / fax/
Age/Occupations/passport So that there will be no error during the delivery of
the funds to you in your country of residence.Your quick response will be
highly appreciated.
MR JAMES GRILLO.
FOR,C.B.N
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Anti-fraud resources:
