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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "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)
- "lagos" (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: "JEFF ADAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <infolinkk1@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2015 04:02:11 -0800
Subject: Dear Friend & Co-Beneficiary(CONSIGNMENT BOX).
Dear Friend,
Greetings to you. My name is Mr.Jeff Adams, the last Son of Late Chief Balogun Adams, the former Local Government Chairman of my State here in Lagos-Nigeria.
I have the intention of entrusting a "Consignment Box" worth $25.5 Million Dollars in your care Abroad.
This is to brief you about the fund's origin which actually belongs to me as an inheritance after the death of my Father Chief Balogun Adams. Due to series of problem I am having with my extended Families concerning this fund in question as they are trying to intimidate me over it because my Father whom actually deposited it as a Consignment with the Finance House Abroad in my name. So I decide that I will move this Consignment from the Finance House to any reliable source safely for investment Abroad.
I want to inform you that there is no much thing needed for the recovery of this Consignment/Deposit worth $25.5 million and It may also please you to know that if you are actually willing to assist me over this issue, you will be compensated with 30% of the total Fund.
However, you are to make up your mind to locate where this Finance House is in Abroad to enable you see this Consignment Box. You have to be fully committed to this and apply total confidentiality and understanding regarding issues. Note: that the Finance House does not know the Content of the Consignment Box because my Late Father Chief Balogun Adams deposited it as Precious Stones.
Upon the receipt of your positive response I shall proceed further with every legal motives that will back up your claim and to assure you of a 100% risk-free transaction.
To enable us proceed, you are to please send the following information:
1.YOUR FULL NAME & ADDRESS.
2.YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE/CELL NUMBERS FOR ORAL COMMUNICATION.
3.COPY OF YOUR IDENTITY.
4.YOUR OCCUPATION AND AGE.
5.YOUR RELIGION.
NOTE: that as soon as I receive the above mentioned details from you I will hand it over to my personal lawyer whom shall reach you for legal advise on how to recover this Consignment on my behalf without any problem because right now I am placed under a strong security surveillance by my so called wicked Family Brothers so I have no free movements.
Further information shall be provided on request.
Thanks as I Wait your positive response.
Mr.Jeff Adams.
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