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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:
- "clearance 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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "fedexcourire_combj@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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 Martin Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fedexcourire_combj@w.cn>
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:59:26 +0100
Subject: Contact Courier Speed Company For Delivery Of Your Consignment $4.6Musd
Good day My Dear, how are you today?
I am writing to inform you that We thank God that the only fee you are going to pay is clearance fee for shippment of your fund because they have waive all other fees for you to receive your fund after i have explain to them on you behalf that you have suffered so long and yet you have not receive your fund package valued $4.6Musd(Four Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars) which is awaiting claim since. And i decided to use FedEX Courier company service now, instead of Glo Max Courire because of THEY ARE BETTER SERVICE HERE IN BENIN.Only payment is SECURITY KEEPING fee which is the only fee you can to have your consignment box from the company.
As for my agreement with the FedEX Courier company today, they promised me that your consignment will leave this Country as soon as they received your delivering address as its needed, But the Director of the FedEX Courier company said that they need your contacts information’s to enable them meet up and locate you immediately the Diplomat Agent arrived to your Country.
Please Send your personal informations to the given address below.Dr David Blystone DIRECTOR GENERAL.Email; (fedexcourire_combj@w.cn)
Telephone; +229 99891782
1. YOUR FULL NAME________
2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS._______
3. YOUR COUNTRY__________
4. YOUR CURRENT TELEPHONE NUMBER.________
5. YOUR OFFICE TELEPHONE._______
6. A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE_______
7. YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT________
Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director General of FedEX Courier company today Dr David Blystone DIRECTOR GENERAL with the address given to you. Note that the FedEX Courier company doesn't know the contents of the PACKAGE. It was registered as a BOX containing your family materials. They don't know that it contains money. This is to avoid them delaying with the BOX. Don't let them know that is money that is in that Box.
I am waiting for your urgent response.
Thanks and Remain Blessed. Yours,
Mr Martin Johnson.
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