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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)
- "the diplomat " ("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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Jerry Carter" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wdbdevscheme@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2016 16:00:48 -0500
Subject: IRREVOCABLE COMPENSATION FUND
FROM: THE FINANCIAL RESOLUTION DEPARTMENT
WORLD BANK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
File No: DOCKET NO. OP 292.
Our Ref: WEEP-ICJ/FRD/XSTB/04.16
Sir,
SUBJECT: IRREVOCABLE COMPENSATION FUND / PAYMENT VIA PRIVATE CASH CALL SYSTEM.
Based on the World Bank empowerment program (Scheme) to compensate Victims of Scam, Terrorist attack, refuges and internal displace person(s) round the globe through cash call system. However, your compensation fund which was packaged as a consignment has arrived United Sates today through diplomatic means.
You are kindly advised to send us your contact address as well as your direct telephone numbers so that the diplomat on foreign mission will contact you directly and deliver your consignment to you immediately.
Thanks for your Cooperation.
Yours in Service,
Mr. Jerry Carter (Attorney at Law)
Financial Resolution Department
World Bank Group.
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Anti-fraud resources:
