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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "Us Customs Border Protection" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barry.hunter@globomail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2011 11:14:42 +0100
Subject: 9th Feb.2011
Attention!!
From The Desk of:
Barry Hunter
One of our officials stopped a Diplomat here in JFK International airport
(New York) the diplomat was carrying a Consignment that was being delivered
to your residence.
We need you to kindly affirm that you are aware of the delivery of the
Consignment so that the Diplomat will be allowed to make the delivery to
you.
I am writing to confirm if you are aware of the delivery of the Consignment
to
you,Your quick response will ensure that you receive your Consignment
without any further delay.
You are to reconfirm your name,phone number,address with zip code and
Nationality.
I await your urgent responds
Yours Sincerely
Commandant,
Barry Hunter
A G Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP)
Securing America's Borders.
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Anti-fraud resources:
