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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- postaldelivery700@yahoo.com.cn (Yahoo, China; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Charles Cole" <ofile54@gmail.com>
Reply-To: postaldelivery700@yahoo.com.cn
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2012 18:27:38 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Kindly contact the Post Office Manager direct via the following information
Hello!
Due to the Scam news we are hearing about DHL/UPS/FEDEX and other delivery Companies we decided to use POSTAL SERVICE to send your ATM CARD to avoid having problem with customs.
Your ATM CARD has been registered with Postal Delivery Service and the delivery will take depending when you contact them with your current address.POST OFFICE Director informed me that your delivery will be complete within 7-days and all they need from you is your current address where to post your ATM CARD with their Posting Charges of USD$ 53.00 and your posting code will be forwarded to you once immediately your ATM CARD left their office.
He further assured me that no more additional fees will be required after paying the Posting fees of USD$ 53.00.
Kindly contact the Post Office Manager direct via the following information:
Mr. Kenneth Johnson
Post Office Manager
Telephone# +229 98367779
E-mail: postaldelivery700@yahoo.com.cn
They requested the following details from you:
Full Name____________________
Home Address_________________
Telephone#___________________
ID if available______________
Your total amount in the ATM CARD is [USD$600.000.00] Six Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only. Your registration code is [#9972]. You have to indicate it to them when sending them mail to ensure you are the right person to receive the ATM CARD. Thanks for been patient with us.
Yours In Service
Mr. Charles Cole
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