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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:
- "security keeping fee" (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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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.
- +2348053695187 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dhl Delivery" <info@fmp.com.tw>
Reply-To: stevewhite01@live.co.uk
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:04:38 +0800 (CST)
Subject:
Attn: Parcel Bearer,
This is to notify you of a parcel containing a cheque worth
535,000.00GBP(Five Hundred And Thirty Five Thousand Pounds)
issued to us byone Mrs.Brenda Howell in your favor through
random selections of email users worldwideShe is running a
foundation in Africa to help the less priveledge all
overthe world presently not in the country.She has
authorized us to issue it to you.She left in our
office,your emailto enable us inform you so you cancome for
claim immediately.You are required to fill in the below
form for
confirmation of claim:
Full Name:
Delivery Address:
Age:
Occupation:
Phone:
Note: You are only responsible for DHL security keeping fee
(50GBP) which is included in your winning cheque as she has
already made
payment for the delivery of your parcel.
Contact: STEVE WHITE
Position: Dispatch Officer
Email:stevewhite01@live.co.uk
Tel:+2348053695187
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Anti-fraud resources:
