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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:
- "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)
- "dhlservice.bj@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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: "Mr. Thomas Yari" <legalfile3333@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dhlservice.bj@w.cn
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2011 20:46:53 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Your reference CODE is E8R4X0F7IC
FROM: BCEAO Management Team.
ATTN: Beneficiary/Owner,
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Your reference CODE is E8R4X0F7IC
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This is an urgent notification to notify you that your ATM card package with the above reference number valued $2.7M ($2,700,000.00 USD) has been registered to the FedEx express to be delivered as per your directions. The Packaging of the ATM card in our security vault was supervised by me prior handing over to FedEx express delivery.
So call the FedEx Agent in charge Dr. Tony Brown as soon as you receive this message on telephone: +22998332170 and e-mail him via: ( dhlservice.bj@w.cn ) with your details address:
* Your Full Name: _______
* Your Address: ______
* Country: _____
* House/Office Telephone Number: ______
* Current Cell Phone#: _____
* Attach Copy of Your Identification.
Your ATM CARD package is rapped with (PIN code#) together with the instructions manual on how you will be using the ATM card to withdraw your funds and I registered it as a (gift item) so that the Delivery Agent will not detects the content of your package. Remember, to request for the (TRACKING number) of your package from FedEx express delivery to ensure accurate & safety delivery.
Regards,
Mr. Thomas Yari
Director Foreign Operations,
BCEAO - West African Sub-Region
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Anti-fraud resources:
