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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:
- "clearance 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. )
- "hundred thousand u.s 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "mreric_moore@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. David B. Peters" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mreric_moore@yahoo.cn>
Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 09:25:27 -0500
Subject: YOUR PARCEL NOTIFICATION
Attention: Beneficiary
YOUR PARCEL NOTIFICATION.
This is to notify you that your parcel is still in the possession of the security company(Nicon Insurance/Security Nigeria West Africa.), this parcel contains an International Cashier Bank Draft/Cheque worth the sum of U.S$900.000.00 (Nine Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars) only and it is ready for delivery to your door step. This Draft was sent to you by the United Nations Relief Body. Meanwhile, before the delivery or shipment will take place, you are advice to send to them the following details below for reconfirmation.
Fill this Form:
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Country:
Contact Phone Number:
You are to send this details and replies to:
NAME: MR. Eric Moore
EMAIL ADDRESS:mreric_moore@yahoo.cn
PHONE NUMBER:
Tel: +234-808-099-0341
FedEx Courier Service Company mailing you as per your parcel that was brought to security company "Nicon Insurance/Security" to be delivered to you by Fedex Couriers, Meanwhile we are hereby happy to inform you that as soon as you have finalized everything with the Security Company we will be delighted to serve you.
NOTE: You will be required to pay the sum of $195.00 for the parcel to be released to us for prompt delivery by the Security Company. The $195.00 is meant for Security clearance fee.
Mr. David B. Peters
REGIONAL MANAGER
(FedEx Courier Service Company)
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Anti-fraud resources:
