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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.
- 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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- 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.
- company.strust@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MR JOHN PAUL <barr.jerryego0215@att.net>
Reply-To: company.strust@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 01:41:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONTACT SPEED TRUST COMPANY FOR YOUR DELIVERY
Hello i have paid the delivery fees for your cheque and all the necessary arrengement has made WITH SPEED TRUST COMPANY and manager of ecobank told me that the cheque will expire before getting to you. so i told him to cash the ($2.5M USD) and deposited the cash with speed trust company .now contact the speed Trust company with this information below
CONTACT PERSON
DR ANDY LORD
Email;(company.strust@yahoo.com.hk)
Telephone;,+229-93155695
OFFICE;Telephone= +229 96701622
(Shipping Code: AA7892BD)
contact them to enable them deliver the consignment box to you immediately. Do contact them and let me know when you have recieve your consignment box,the needed information to enable them deliver your consignment to you immediately.SPEED TRUST COMPANY LTD Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your Diplomat V.I.P BOX. On contacting them, note to send them the above information’s. 1. YOUR FULL NAME....................
2. YOUR COUNTRY..........................
3. YOUR HOME DELIVERY ADDRESS......................
4. YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER..............
5. YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE...................
6. YOUR CURRENT CELL PHONE.........................
7. YOUR NERAEST INTERANTIONAL AIRPORT .............
8. YOUR COMPANY NAME...............................
9. A COPY OF YOUR ID/ PICTURE...................... Shipment Code AWB 33xQT
Package Registered Code No XFT477
Security Code Sctc /5501BDHX/844
Transactions Code 0477/QSTC/117/330478/
Certificats Code SQTCF/BHDN/XXIQ/-78/00 Make sure you send this needed information to the Director General of Speed Company Dr. Andy Lord with this address given to you. (company.strust@yahoo.com.hk) Note. The Speed Courier Company doesn’t know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a Box of an, Valuable items\materials. They don't know it contents is money. This is to avoid them delaying with the Box. So don't let them know that is money that is in that Box. I am waiting for your urgent response. You can even call the Director of Speed Courier Company with this line +229-96701622Thanks and Remain Blessed.
REV JOHN PAUL
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Anti-fraud resources:
