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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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: "Barrister Fred Ibee." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <spdcourierdelivery@globomail.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:17:10 -0300
Subject: RECONFIRM YOUR DELIVERY ADDRESS TO SPEED COURIER
Attention Dear Friend,
Contact the speed courier delivery company to know when they will deliver your
compensation fund of $1.500.000.00 Million USA Dollars packaged in a metal box
with registration code (GS008).
CONTACT PERSON; MR ANDY LORD
SPEED COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY LIMITED
REPUBLIC. E-mail :( spdcourierdelivery@globomail.com )
CONTACT PHONE +229-99 09 54 26
Take note that i have paid the delivery fee for you, so the only money you have to send them is the security keeping fee i would have paid it for you but they said no just because they dont when you will contact them so reconfirm to them this below needed information of yours as stated below;
Your Full Name--------------------
Your Address-----------------------
Home telephone---------------------
Office telephone---------------------
Airport Name-------------------------
Your picture--------------------------
Let me know as soon as you receive your consignment box from the speed courier
Use this code (GS008)As your email subject when contacting the company to enable
them identify you as the owner of the consignment box I registered with them.
Regards
Barrister Fred Ibee.
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Anti-fraud resources:
