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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: Thomas Adeniran <thomasadeni@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:28:01 +0100
Subject: Attention: Foreign Beneficiary
This is to bring to your notice that all arrangement have been concluded on
the best possible way to make sure that you get your money without any
bridge of law or money laundry.
We have finalized with our diplomat who normally help us in matters like
this. They will convey your money to your door step in a consignment box.
We are taken this measure because the American and Asian Governments are
putting in some policies that is restricting us from transferring huge
amount of money to foreign account because of the level of terrorism treat
that is rising.
Be informed that the diplomat do not know the content of the consignment
and for no reason would they know until it is delivered to you. Base on the
arrangement, the diplomat will leave as soon as we hear from you, though he
have transit to Dubai which means that he will get to Country as soon as he
finished from Dubai. We are appealing to you to please assist him when he
confirm to his arrival to you. If possible while in the air port he will
provide you a local number where you can reach him for easy communication.
We would like you to reconfirm the following information to us before his
departure on the appointed date.
Your home address and your private phone where you could be reached at any
time. This information's are very important to avoid any mistake or him
being stranded at the airport on his arrival. The key/code of the
consignment will be given to you immediately you confirm the receipt of the
box.
Mr. Thomas Adeniran
Chairman
Presidential Monitoring Committee on Foreign
Contractors/Inheritance Payment.
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Anti-fraud resources:
