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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:
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- 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.
- t.logisexpss@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Shirley White" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <t.logisexpss@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:07:22 -0700
Subject: Your Atm Card Is Ready For Delivery.
Hello,
I'm please to informed you that your ATM CARD valued at US$4.8M has been deposited to TNT Express delivery with shipment code awb-33xzs. You are advised to contact Mike Denis via E-mail: t.logisexpss@yahoo.com and Tel: +229-9806242 to claim your package.
Kindly reconfirm your full names, home/office address and mobile phone number and identify card for clarification and verification.
Note, I have paid insurance & delivery charges of the ATM Card, the only fee you will be required to pay is official stamp duty fee $75. Please indicate the registration number and pay the stamp duty fee to receive the ATM card.
Regards,
Dr. Shirley White
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Anti-fraud resources:
