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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:
- "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)
- "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 united states 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 agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- 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: "Mr.John Mike" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrjohnmike77@live.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:45:22 +0700
Subject: We wish to inform you
>From .Mr John Mike
We wish to inform you that the Diplomatic Agent conveying the consignment box valued the sum of $15 Million United States Dollars misplaced your address and he is currently stranded at your International airport now. We required you reconfirm the following information’s below so that he can deliver your consignment box to you today.
Name: .......
Address: .......
Mobile Number.: .......
Name of Your Nearest Airport: .......
A Copy of Your Identification: .......
Get Back to me with your full personal information's for the delivery of your consignment.
+234 806 7373 074
Thanks.
Mr.John Mike
Get Back to me with this Email:mrjohnmike77@live.com
NOTE: The Diplomatic Agent does not know that the content of the consignment box is $15 Million United States Dollars and on no circumstances should you let him know the content. The consignment was moved from here as family treasures, so never allow him to open the box no matter the condition ans situation.
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Anti-fraud resources:
