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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:
- "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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Henry Daniel" <saidnur@saidnur.com>
Reply-To: henrydaniel2003@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2016 23:31:37 -0600
Subject: Dear: ATM Card Owner
Dear: ATM Card Owner
I am Mr. Henry Daniel a Courier Diplomat from the Air Land Courier company West Africa Region. I have in my custody a package of ATM Master of $5,5 Million Dollars registered in your name and due to be delivered to you.
I wish to notify you that your package has arrived successfully to the United State of America (John F. Kennedy International Airport) for onward shipment to your home address.
However we are having some customs interception with regards to the diplomatic clearance which is delaying the shipment. You are therefore advised to get in touch with me as quickly as possible to enable us sort out the custom issue and complete your delivery.
Please get across to me as soon as you can to enable us arrange the clearance of the package as to assure that I connect my flight to your city tonight. Also Reconfirm this information below avoid wrong delivery
Full Name:
Home Address:
Occupation:
Cell Phone
Country:
Age:
Please call me on phone with this number 916-504-9930 is very urgent,
Yours truly
Mr. Henry Daniel
916-504-9930
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Anti-fraud resources:
