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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (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)
- "million 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)
- 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.
- cccjjjcccolins@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. James Collins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cccjjjcccolins@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2011 02:15:22 +0800
Subject: Mail From Mr. James Collins
Dear Sir/Madam
I know this will come to you as a surprise as you do not know me. My name is Mr. James Collins and i formerly worked with an Oil Merchant in Angola South Central Africa department of exporting CRUDE Oil to foreign countries and also liaise with the NATIONAL BANK OF ANGOLA.
I got your contact through a shortlist countries directory. I need your assistance as my partner to secure and claim a package containing Twenty Five million United States Dollars which i secure from the oil Merchant excess transaction through the National Bank of Angola and which had been successful shipped overseas via an accredited agent and Bank, all the said fund is in Hundred United States Dollars Notes and the Consignment Vault is secured without tempering or scan checking it.
If you are willing to assist me in this venture provide to me:
Your full names:
Full Address:
Your contact mobile number:
At the end of this transaction i will offer you 30% for the assistance rendered and additional 2% for any expenses that you incur during this transaction and please do treat this transaction as PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL.
Other modalities will be discussed including sending the keys to unlock Vault/package to you. As soon as you received this proposal and willing to assist do contact me via this email (cccjjjcccolins@sify.com).
I wait for your response.
Regards,
James Collins
Email: cccjjjcccolins@sify.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
