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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the 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)
- "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 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: "MUSA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dridrisomarmusa@superposta.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:00:50 -0700
Subject: FROM IDRIS OMAR MUSA
National Vault Services
Deposit Department
Federal Secreteriat
Ikoyi-Lagos.
My Dear
This is to inform you that your contract/inheritance funds has been
Approved and package for cash delivery to your address. The arrangements
have been concluded regarding the shipment of the funds consignment to your
home.
However note that Every arrangements has been well perfected and conclude
for the delivery of your consignment funds to you immediately you visit the
Global Security Company in Belgium . I am contacting you as a matter of
urgency to avoid hitches. I found out that is your consignment that has
been lying here for long time now. This is why I decided to help you,
I use my position as the Shipment officer in charge of the National
Security warehouse to move your consignment fund out from Nigeria en-route
Belgium. The consignment is now ready for shipment and should leave for
your country immediately you response to this message. Contact me back
immediately you receive this email to enable me give you further
information on the movement of the consignment and when it is expected you
visit the Global Security Company in Belgium or the will bring it to your
home.
I am doing this for you hoping that I will be generously remunerated when
you receive your fund.
Kindly forward to me your full information such as
(1) Your Full Name and address:
(2) Mobile/Fax number#: for easy communication.
(3) Age and occupation.
I await for your respond
Thanks You
IDRIS OMAR MUSA
+ 234 808 322 8411
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Anti-fraud resources:
