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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned 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: info@usembassy.com Ambassador Stuart Symington
Reply-To: stuartsymington52@yahoo.com
Date: 14 Jan 2017 23:42:49 -0800
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT
U.S AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA
PLOT 1075 DIPLOMATIC DRIVE
CENTRAL DISTRICT AREA, ABUJA
Dear: Sir/ Madam,
This is Ambassador Stuart Symington, The new U.S.
Ambassador to Nigeria.
I shall be coming to your country for an Official
meeting on Friday and I will be bringing your
funds through An ATM CARD of ( $500,000.00 ) along
with me but this
time i will not go through customs because as an
Ambassador to Nigeria, I am a US Government agent
and i have the veto power to go through customs.
As soon as i am through with the meeting i shall
then proceed to your Address. (send your cell
phone number and the address where you want Me to
bring the package).
You have really paid so much in this delivery that
makes me wonder. You are a lucky person because I
shall be bringing it myself and there is nothing
anyone can do
about it.
There is absolutely going to be great doubt and
distrust in your heart in respect to this email
coupled with the fact that so many miscreants And
imposters(scammers)
have taken possession of the internet to
Facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making
it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate
business class persons to
get Attention and recognition I am a USA
Government agent and I have the veto power to go
through customs.
Make sure you track it first, As soon as i am
through with the meetings i shall proceed to your
home( send your information's:
1. Your Full Names: ...
2. Cell Phone No:..
3. Address where you want me to bring your
package..
Ambassador Stuart Symington
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
