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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:
- "demurrage " (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. )
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Mike Okoh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dhl_express_com2@sify.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:44:19 +0100
Subject: Foreign Payment Verification Unit !!
Dear Customer
I have contacted the issuing bank regarding your bank draft expiration, they have re-validated your bank draft payment and has issued an ATM VISA CARD of USD $1,5.000.00 One Million Five Hundred thousand united state dollars which is more conveinient.
I have also registerred your ATM VISA CARD with DHL Courier Service so reconfirm your current delivery address (i.e 1.Your Full Names, 2. Delivery Address and 3. Telephone Number) to DHL Courier & Shipping Company who will shipp your ATM VISA CARD.
CONTACT: Mr.James Howard
PHONE: +229 98931175
E-MAIL: (dhl_courier_express36@qatar.io)
For your information, the shipping charge of $650.00 USD has been paid by me through Money Gramm. The reference number/receiver for Money Gramm is 65488728/Harry Shatto III.
The only money you will send to the DHL Courier Service to deliver your BOX direct to your delivery address is $199.00 USD only which is their Security Keeping Fee. I would have paid for the keeping fee but they refused. They said that they don't know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage if for any reason you do not contact quickly for the delivery.
You have to contact them now and request them to make the delivery of your BOX to avoid further delay that might attract demurrage. Call the Director Mr.James Howard and he will direct you how to send their keeping fee and also request for the delivery tracking number of the parcel from him once your package have been dispached. The registration CODE is: 2661428
Waiting to hear from you.
Dr. Harry Shatto III
Foreign Payment Verification Unit
Bank Of Africa
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Anti-fraud resources:
