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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447031954050 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "BARCLAYS BANK LONDON UK." <admin@wye7r9y95.homepage.t-online.de>
Reply-To: <drgoodman777@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:35:43 -1200
Subject: FROM MR.LOUIS GOODMAN DIRECTOR BARCLAYS BANK LONDON UK.
FROM THE DESK OF:
MR.LOUIS GOODMAN
DIRECTOR BARCLAYS BANK LONDON UK.
DIRECT PHONE:+44-703-195-4050
BANK PHONE:+44-700-580-1043
Attn: Beneficiary
This Is To Notify You That After Our Meeting Today With British Government We Came To A Conclusion That We Have To Pay
You The Sum Of Ten Million USD Dollars Only As Your Contract Entitlement. The Payment
Will Come To You Via Gld Diplomatic Courier Service; Therefore You Are
To Re-Confirm The Following:
1. Your full name
2. Full address(street address, city, state, zip code and country)
3. Direct Phone
4. Occupation, age and marital status
5. Copy of drivers license for identification
6. Nearest Airport
Please as soon as you this letter make sure you call me to inform me immediately with my direct phone number,+44-703-195-4050
Sincerely
MR.LOUIS GOODMAN
DIRECTOR BARCLAYS BANK LONDON UK.
DIRECT PHONE:+44-703-195-4050
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Anti-fraud resources:
