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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- 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: Mr Frank Williams <cstv1111@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Mr Frank Williams <dhldeliverycompany270@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2015 10:21:39 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Good Day Dear Package Owner,
Good Day Dear Package Owner,
How are you doing? I am Mr Frank Williams, the director of DHL company, i want to inform you about the arrival of your inheritance / contract fund of US $ 15,8Million (Fifteen Million Five hundred thousand united state dollars) in California, it is an essential package coming to you. so you are expected to confirm your current telephone number and your full delivery address to your diplomatic agent Mr David Johnson immediately as he has arrived in California.
YOU ARE EXPECTED TO FILL UP YOUR DELIVERY INFORMATION.
(1) Your Full Name =============
(2) Mobile Phone Number ======
(3) Current Home Address ========
(4) Fax Number ================
(5) Country ====================
(6) City ======================
(7) Nearest Airport ==============
(8) A copy of your ID
Sincerely & Thank You
Frank Williams
Director DHL company
Tele +229 98422858
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Anti-fraud resources:
