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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:
- "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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "U.S. EMBASSY" <riekot113@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "U.S. EMBASSY" <airportsembassy@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 May 2014 19:24:27 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Confirm Your Shipping Address
U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin
Office: James A. Knight (Diplomat)
United States Ambassador to the Republic
Rue Caporal Bernard Anani-BP 2012, Cotonou Benin
Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday:
8:00-12:30/1:30 - 5:00 P.M
Friday: 8:00 A.M. - 2:30P.M
Urgent please
This is to officially inform you that a sealed consignment box scheduled for delivery to you with above deposit details was brought to our custody here in U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin by Courier Company Director this morning for safe keeping and now waiting for your confirmation before the final delivery will take place to your home town.
The consignment box in question contained $20.5Million and was brought to the embassy here for safe keeping since it was intercepted by narcotic agency due to unsecured shipping schedule.
Moreover, it's our responsibility to protect the interest of every good citizen and will advice you to stop every further communication with any correspondence from anywhere concerning this transaction because we have finalized to deliver through our correspondent embassy in your country pending your immediate response.
Also reconfirm below information as your present and direct contact upon responding back to us avoiding wrongful delivery.
1. Your Full Name:
2. Current home address:
3. Direct phone Number(s):
4. A Copy of Your Int'l Passport or Driver's license for Identification at point of collection
Once you notify us with above requirement, we shall schedule delivery of your sealed box fund to your home address through our correspondent embassy in your city and you will be contacted for personal collection at your door step.
Kindly send your response as soon as you read this message as I anticipate your urgent respond.
Thanks & Sincerely Yours,
Ambassador James Knight
United States Ambassador to the Republic of Benin
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Anti-fraud resources:
