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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- pcsltdbjo@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: akpotopatrick35@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 05:03:34 +0200
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=20have=20Paid=20the=20fee=20for=20your=20Cheque?=
Dear Friend,
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family.Honestly I
am so happy to you that I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.Because
the manager of Eco Bank Benin told me that before the check will get to
you that it will expire.So i told him to cash $4,500,000.00 Dollars all
the necessary arrangement of delivering the $4.5. Million in cash was made
with PREMIER COURIER SERVICES LTD .This is the information they need to
delivery your package to you.
ATTN: Mr David Mark
EMAIL: pcsltdbjo@yahoo.fr
Please, Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately
they arrived in your country with your BOX. This is what they need from
you.
1. YOUR FULL NAME
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE
Please make sure you send this needed info's to the Director general of
PREMIER COURIER SERVICES LTD Mr David Mark with the address given to
you. Note ;The COURIER COMPANY don't know the contents of the Box. I registered
it as a Box of an Africa cloths. They don't know its content is money.This
is to avoid them delaying with the Box. Don't let them know that is money
that is in that Box.I am waiting for your urgent response.
Awaits your urgentresponse
Thanks and my regards to your family.
Dr. AKPOTO PATRICK
Anti-fraud resources:
