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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.
- 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. )
- "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)
- 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.
- dhlcourierservice05@pisem.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mark Jones <germoze-36@cheapnet.it>
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2016 19:09:41 +0100
Subject: CONTACT DHL SERVICE FOR YOUR CARD
Having reviewed all the obstacles and problems surrounding the
transfer of your USD2.8 Million Dollars and your inability to meet up
with some charges levied against you due to the past transfer options,
We are the Board of Directors, United Bank for Africa UBA has issue
you a CORPORATE ATM CARD also registered it with DHL to delivery to you.
Contact Dhl Director, Mr.Harrison Wilson,
Tel:+229 99 368 172
Email:dhlcourierservice05@pisem.net
With your Full name Delivery Address Your Country and Phone Number
note that A Tax/Stamp Duty MUST be procured according to the New
Customs Creed and the essence to ensure a hitch-free delivery
Mr Mark Jones
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Anti-fraud resources:
