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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)
- "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)
- "million us dollars" (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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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 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.
- +22993997337 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- info_scdc1@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- 3ainfo_scdc1@sify.com
Fraud email example:
From: "botman1 Gazeta.pl" <botman1@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:16:12 +0100
Subject: GOODNEWS FOR YOU CONCERNING YOUR CONSIGNMENT.
Dear Friend,
I have registered your Cheque Draft.but the manager of African Development
Bank told me that before the check will get to you that it will expire.
So I told him to cash 1,500.000.00 Million US Dollars and all the necessary
arrangement of delivering the 1,500.000.00 Million US Dollars in cash was
made with Shalom Diplomatic Courier company Benin Republic.
Please write a letter of application to the given address below.
Dr.Livingstone Alagbo
EMAIL:info_scdc1@sify.com <EMAIL%3Ainfo_scdc1@sify.com>)
Phone+229 93997337
Note: The Diplomats Who Will Bring The Consignment To Any Place Of Your
Choice Does Not Know The Original Contents Of The Boxes. I Made Them To
Understand That The Boxes Contains A Sensitive Photographic Film Material
Instead Of Money For Security Reasons.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--------------------------
6.YOUR AGE----------------------------------------
7.COUNTRY------------------------------------------
8.OCCUPATION------------------------------------------
Dr Mrs Boma Tamuno
Anti-fraud resources:
