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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:
- "courier company" (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 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.
- 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.
- tntcouriercompanybenin001@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Adam Johnson the New Manager of \(IMF\)" <officefile22141@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tntcouriercompanybenin001@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:30:33 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Contact TNT Courier Company Now for Your ATM VISA CARD Immediately
Attention: Pleases,
How are you doing today? I want to let you know that due to your delayregarding the transaction the Federal Government had a meeting last 5days agoregarding all international payments. However, instruction had been released bythe presidency and accountant general of the federation to re-schedule allforeign payments via ATM VISA CARD.
So your payment has been converted into an ATM VISA CARD and it hasbeen deposited in care of TNT COURIER COMPANY which you have to contact theDirector of the Company immediately for the delivery of your ATM VISA CARD. Note that the delivery charge has been paid and the onlyfee you need to pay is $48 for Security keeping and you have to Re-confirm yourhome address to the Company once you are contacting them. Your Full Name...... Your Private Telephone ...... Your Address where the ATM will be deliver to.Country /Region......
Below is the TNT Courier Company contact information.
Contact Person: Mr. Luby Mavis.E-Mail:(tntcouriercompanybenin001@gmail.com )Contact Number:+229-9986 5016.
Regards,
Mr. Adam Johnson the New Manager of (IMF)
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Anti-fraud resources:
