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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:
- "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)
- "million united states 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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. )
- 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: Director Mike <oservice85@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Director Mike <mr.collins.bj@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2015 07:43:23 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention: Dear Consignment Box Owner
Attention!
Your consignment package worth $2.5 Million United States Dollars with reference number: 2661428700 that have been registered with FedEx® Courier Company Benin this morning have already left here to your country is to be delivered safely and securely to you by your diplomatic agent Mr. Collins. Kindly get in contact regarding this delivery right now without any waste of time, below is his personal information to contact him:-
Delivery Argent: Mr. Collins Benjamin
Telephone Number: +1 (424)-500-8069
Kindly re-confirm to us the following information below with your current address concerning your delivery today;
1- Your Full Name:
2- Your Age and Sex:
3- Your Delivery Address:
4- Your Nearest/Closest Airport:
5- Your Contact Telephone Number:
6- Your Identification (Passport number or ID card number):
Here Is Your Package Unlocking CODE (AWB33XZS) for your consignment box.
Best Regards,
Director Mike Johnson
FedEx Express® Benin Republic
Office Telephone Number: +229 6217-4985.
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Anti-fraud resources:
