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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.
Fraud email example:
From: "UPS DELIVERY COMPANY" <info@ups.com>
Reply-To: ups_delivery-unit@rcweb.net
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 04:07:22 -0400
Subject: Attn: Parcel Bearer
Attn: Parcel Bearer
This is to notify you of a parcel containing an a cheque worth
535,000.00GBP(Five Hundred And Thirty Five Thousand Pounds) issued to us
by one Mrs.Cindy Williams in your favor through random selections of email
users worldwide.
She is running a foundation in Africa to help the less privileged all over
the world presently not in the country.You can reach her on
+44-703-596-0912 for further instructions.
She has authorized us to deliver it to you safety on her behalf. She left
in our office,your email to enable us inform you so you can come 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 UPS security keeping fee 55GBP which is
included in your winning cheque as she has already made payment for the
delivery of your parcel.UPS West Africa Position: Dispatch Officer
Contact: Mr.christian Dave
Email: ups_delivery-unit@rcweb.net
Phone: +2348162931904
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