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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:
- "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. )
- "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)
- 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.
- tntcoint@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Terre Cool" <ffcfile953@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tntcoint@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:55:49 -0500
Subject: TNT TRACKING NUMBER
Attn: Beneficiary
Courage my dear, I know you will be waiting for the arrival of your
Consignment Containing the total amount of your ($1.5 million) cash payment
compensation Which was sent to you and later returned back due to wrong
address provided, I Think there is a mistake in the address giving to me and
that has cost me a lot Of strength, thank God that it was returned back
safely. The only thing left for you To do now is to contact (TNT Courier
Express Company) this is the company in Charge of delivering your consignment
box containing the ($1.5 million) to your address.
Contact Person: Mr.Willy mough
(Delivery Department Managing Director)
E-mail:(tntcoint@gmail.com)
Tel:+22966168454
For the purpose of clarification, it is advised that the entire fee has been
paid for the delivery so all that you will have to pay is only $55 dollars to
their security office as charges for the safe Keeping Fee of your returning box.
Please do not be deceived by anyone to pay any other fee part from the $55
being their security keeping charge because other things has been taking care of.
You are advised to reconfirm your information such as
YOUR COUNTRY.................
YOUR FULL NAME..............
HOME ADDRESS.................
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER...........
OFFICE NUMBER........................
HOME NUMBER........
AGE...........
SEX...........
In addition to what I said earlier, please do not dispose the content of the
box to them to avoid delay and finally endeavor to indicate this CODE
N?(GL-14160) This is the box code and it shows that you are the rightful owner
of the box Deposited in their company; you will use it as your subject when
contacting them.
After sending the security keeping fee asks them to give you the tracking
Number to enable you track your package over there and know when it will get
to your Address. Let me repeat again, Try to contact them as soon as you
receive this Mail and ask them how you will send the security fee of $55USD
to them to Avoid any further delay and for their immediate actions towards the
deliver of your consignment box to you.
Best Regards
Mr. Terry Cool
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Anti-fraud resources:
