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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:
- "security keeping 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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- fxcr229@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Brian Adams. <dhlee@greenbell.co.kr>
Reply-To: <fxcr229@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 06:27:45 -0800
Subject: GOOD NEWS
========================================================================================================================================
Dear Beloved Friend
This is an official letter from the debt reconciliation committee, we want to inform you that the winning/inheritance funds in your name valued $950,000.00 has been approved for instant payment to you. The Global Max Courier Company has been contracted to carry out the delivery to your doorstep.
Contact them now with the following information.
1. YOUR FULL NAME_________
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS________
3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.________
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE__________
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE____________
Please make sure you send this needed info to the Director General of global max courier company David Osuma with the address below.
CONTACT: David Oruma
TEl: : +229-999 489 67
EMAIL:(fxcr229@gmail.com
The bank draft has been deposited with the courier company already, therefore you have to act fast to avoid the security keeping fee from rising.
Note: We have paid for the insurance and delivery charges. All that is left for you to pay is $70, and that is if you make the payment today. Tomorrow it will be $140.00
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Mr. Brian Adams.
Chairman,
Dept Reconciliation Committee.
Benin Republic.
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Anti-fraud resources:
