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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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- 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.
- shipping37@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "FRANCIS COTOPA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <shipping37@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:22:48 -0700
Subject: Parcel Number: EG2272-NG
Hello
I just want to inform you that I have packaged and deposited your ATM MASTERCARD worth $800,000 USD with FedEx Delivery Services to deliver it to you.
Find FedEx Contact Information Below:
====================================
Contact Officer: Mr. Gay Woods
E-mail: shipping37@hotmail.com
Tel: +2347090356123
Shipment Code: CPEL/OWN/9856
Parcel Number: EG2272-NG
Kindly Re-confirm the Dispatch Information for the Delivery by providing the Information stated Below:
Full Name:........ Home Address ( P O BOX Not allowed ):........ Country:...... Telephone:........ Shipment Code:...... & Parcel Number:........
Once again,Insurance and delivery charges have been paid for, but the only fee remaining is the security safe keeping fee of $95 USD which you will be required to pay. Also note that Fedex Services do not know the content of the parcel,I registered it as an African magazine,they do not know it contains ATM MASTERCARD inside. The ATM MASTERCARD has pin number (8876).You can use it at any ATM to withdraw up to US $5,000.00 per day.
Best Regards
Barr. Francis Cotopa
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Anti-fraud resources:
