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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:
- "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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- dhlcouriercompany85@superposta.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Frank Martine" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dhlcouriercompany85@superposta.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:51:44 +0100
Subject: Please, I am Mr.Frank Martine Diplomatic Agent Dhl Courier delivery company Benin Republic
Hello my dear,
Please, I am Mr Frank martine Diplomatic Agent Dhl Courier delivery company Benin Republic, Please I miss placed your original address I had due to CUSTOMS /FBI/ CIA and POLICE searching and scanning on the Box as if I am a terrorist.
They have confirmed that my movement is clear and with out any suspicious inttentions to this country only to deliver this Box to you and the documents are updated.
I have just cleared the Box from the Customs and they are now demanding for the cercitificate of ownership and the international consignment delivery parmith(ICDP) from country of Fund origin and I told them that it will be forwarded to them as soon as posible to enable me proceed to your house today.
Please,I want you to call my director in Benin Republic and forward your name and your address to him and to enable him secure the requested certificate in your name and send to me immediatly for immediate release of your consignment box, So I will proceed to your house today.
Dhl: OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC PLOT 56 RIVER LANE B COTONOU
+229-68--01-83-30
(dhlcouriercompany85@superposta.com)
DR.Raphuel Croose (director)
REGARDS
Mr.Frank Martine (diplomatic agent)
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Anti-fraud resources:
