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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:
- "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)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "REV .DR PAUL WILLIAMS" <centrabankofnigeria45@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: gov_fgn@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:56:57 +0600 (BDT)
Subject:
--
UNITED NATIONS
DEBTS SETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT.
ABUJA NIGERIA.
Attn: Sir/Madam.
RE: DIPLOMATIC FUND DELIVERY NOTIFICATION VALUED AT US$10,500.000.00.
We wish to bring to your notice that the department of Debt Settlement of
the United Nations Office in Nigeria in conjunction with the Federal
Government of Nigeria have the 14th day of July 2010 resolved that your
US$10,500,000.00 (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
only shall no long be paid to you by Wire Transfer as agreed earlier.
Rather will be paid by our United Nations Diplomatic Team which has been
resolved to arrive your country to deliver to you by cash.
This is due to harsh global economic melt down that commonly affect all
countries all over the World. We are taken this resolution based on the
fact at hand. So send immediately your details for the delivery of your
fund. This consignment have been registered with FBI and there is no
course for alarm because this is the best way that you can get your fund
with out any problem due to the numerous scam activities on the internet,
it is not safe to send ones bank information anymore, so that is why we
choose this method to effect your payment through a consignment and you
are advice to provide all information so that there will not be any
further delay in your payment.
Full Name:……………………….
Home/office Address; …………………………….
Age/Sex;………………………
Occupation: ………………………………
Phone/Cell................
Nearest Airport:…………………………………
Personal Identification:…………………
Nearest Airport:....................
Note that as soon as the diplomatic arrive to your country they will give
you a call immediately to enable you help them secure (yellow
tag/Non-Inspectional Sticker) on point of entry. Also all documents will
be released to you to protect you from any breach of the law.
Reply Urgently.
Best Regards.
Dr.Paul Wiliams
Foreign Payment Director.
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