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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:
- "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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- adiplomatkevin@yahoo.com.my (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Rev Jerry Mark <santogiunta@alice.it>
Reply-To: adiplomatkevin@yahoo.com.my
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2014 20:27:49 +0100 (CET)
Subject: very urgent pls read
I’m Diplomatic agent Mr. Kevin Anthony: I have been trying to reach you on
your telephone about an hour now just to inform you about my successful
arrival in JF KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIR PORT NEW YORK CITY.
delivery of package {ATM VISA CARD} which Worth's of $3.8 million
dollars You’ re to provide him your Name,Address, Nearest Airport and
Telephone
No:,is due to our agreement with the DHL Delivering Company and Noted That you
have to provide him the information correctly for the smooth delivery of your
package,he is JF kenned International Airport united state of
America, please make sure you take care of him and know is not American
Citizen thanks.
(1)Your Full Name=============
(2)Mobile Phone Number======
(3)Current Home Address========
Country====================
(6)City======================
(7)Nearest Airport ==============
EMAIL HIM NOW FOR YOUR FUND;
Agent Name: Kevin Anthony
Email (adiplomatkevin@yahoo.com.my)
Phone: 917 503 0037
Director DHL Courier Service Delivering
Rev.Jerry Mark
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Anti-fraud resources:
