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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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "certified bank draft" (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.
- paul1.adams@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "ERRAND INTERNATIONAL COURIER EXPRESS." <courier9@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: paul1.adams@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 16:06:35 -0700
Subject: READ AND GET BACK TO US IMMEDIATELY.
Attention:
We Received a package here in our office to be dispatched to you, by Mr
CHARLSE SOLUDO. We formally inform you to provide us with your current new
postal Address to reconfirm by our dispatching crew so as to enhance quick
delivery to you, confirmation of the Address is being certified in our
DATA-BASE. Name: Address: Country: Age: Occupation: Certified Bank Draft of
Fifteen Thousand United State Dollars ($15,000) issued by Mr charlse
soludo. Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee, been paid by
Depositor,the only money you will send to the Errand Delivery Office is
($150.00USD) Dollars only for the Security Keeping Fee of the Delivery
Company. Some charges including the VAT have been paid except security
keeping fee which is to be paid by you.
You are advise to adhere to the rules and regulation of the Errand
International Courier to effect delivery of your Package.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr.PAUL ADAMS.
PAUL1.ADAMS@HOTMAIL.COM
ERRAND INTERNATIONAL COURIER EXPRESS
Anti-fraud resources:
