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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million 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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "courierscarlet@yahoo.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. fred shanchez" <mr.fredshanchez8@msn.com>
Reply-To: <courierscarlet@yahoo.cn>
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:57:09 +0000
Subject: SCARLET COURIER SHIPPING COMPANY.
SCARLET COURIER SHIPPING COMPANY.
F.M.C.-NVOCC -O.T.I. #RX12327CT SCARLET LOGISTICS/AIR CARGO T.S.A.-I.A.C.
Address: Rue 105 Akpakpa Way,Cotonou Bureau Office Republic of Benin TEL: +229-98276781
URGENT//ATTENTION
DEAR SIR/MADAM,
A PARCEL CONTAINING AN ATM CARD OF $2.8MILLION DOLLARS WAS REGISTERED IN THIS COMPANY TO BE DELIVERY TO YOU, PLEASE RECONFIRM YOUR INFORMATION PROVIDE BELOW FOR VERIFICATION AND TO AVOID MISTAKE ON THE DELIVERY OF THIS PARCEL CONTAINING AN ATM CARDR OF $2.8MILLION DOLLARS.
1: COMPLETE FULL NAMES:
2: ADDRESS:
3: CELL PHONE NUMBER:
4: HOME PHONE NUMBER:
5: WORK PHONE NUMBER:
6: FAX:
DO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF THIS EMAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO QUICKEN THE DELIVERY OF THE PARCEL TO YOUR ADDRESS.
OFFICE NUMBER CALL (00229-98276781) OR EMAIL ( courierscarlet@yahoo.cn )
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, IT WOULD BE OUR PLEASURE TO ASSIST YOU.
REGARDS,
Mr.FRED SHANCHEZ
HEAD OF DELIVERY DEPARTMENT
SCARLET COURIER COMPANY
COTONOU, REPUBLIC OF BENIN
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Anti-fraud resources:
