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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.
- 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.
- rugrant1@aim.com (AOL Instant Messenger; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Package Forwarders" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rugrant1@aim.com>
Date: Tue, 13 May 2014 14:59:46 +0100
Subject: Urgent Delivery Alert!
Urgent Delivery Alert!
This is a reminder that Your packet is already on the transit point (England).It has been onhold awaiting pickup since March 30th,2014. You are expected to call or email us with a confirmation of the exact recipient address.
Recipient Postal Details required are stated below;
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS :
TELEPHONE NUMBER :
>From our database,it shows your package is coming in with a high priority delivery (highly classified package),so you should attend to this case promptly.You have to Confirm if you wish to come to London for pickup of your package or if you want us to deliver to you in your location.
For more info, reply only with the required information to (rugrant1@aim.com) or call mr. Russell Grant on +447466447906 . Note this is a highly valuable delivery and so,you must attend to all messages promptly.
Russell Grant
(Delivery Agent)
Tel: +447466447906
Email:rugrant1@aim.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
