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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- afripostexpressltd1@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "GOV BOG" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmcardunitcbn@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:55:07 -0600
Subject: Kindly contact the AFRO POST EXPRESS
Dear Friend,
We are glad to inform you that $67,940.00 spent has been re-added to your inheritance funds making it all together $14.7 million dollars to be paid to you via cash consignment delivery by a special appointed courier service Afro Post. The diplomat shall be leaving the shores of Ghana immediately you contact the Courier and will be arrive your country in the next 18 hours.
Kindly contact the AFRO POST EXPRESS via email:afripostexpressltd1@rocketmail.com they will give you more directives on how your cash-consignment will arrive your destination. Once again I will like you to thank the new elected board of trustees on foreign affairs matters BOG.They have really tried to had made your payment a success.
I shall be using this opportunity to let you know that you should be prepared to welcome the diplomat and take good care of him. His name is Dip. Frank Cole he is a special diplomat from the AFRO POST EXPRESS, We have had several assignments through him and he delivers promptly.
Congratulations to you as soon as you receive your cash-consignment box email me and I will release the opening code for you to access your $14.7 million dollars.
Stay cool and enjoy your self as you wait for your money.
Best Regard,
Mr. Kwesi Bekoe Amissh-Arthur
Execuctive Governor
Bank of Ghana (BOG)
Profile : http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=166947
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Anti-fraud resources:
