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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:
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Landman" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <infodata1101@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2017 15:20:18 -1100
Subject: Attn: Consignee,
Düsseldorf International Airport,
Service Port-Düsseldorf
Port Information
Port Code: DUS / EDDL
Location Address: 40474 Dusseldorf, Germany
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (GMT +01:00 hours)
Seven Days A Week (7)
Attn: Consignee,
A forfeited consignment from a secured Shipping Company was brought to our
facility today and When scanned it is estimated that the consignment
contains valuable cash of approximately $4.5 to $5 Million Dollars. The
consignment was forfeited by the secured delivery Company because there is
a restraining order against the release since it is not properly declared.
The details on the consignment tagged.
Type: SUITCASE
Wheels: 4 wheels
Handles: Trolley handle with top & side handles
Approximate Dimensions: Height: 3.20 ft, Width: 2.50 ft, Depth: 1.90 ft.
Weight: 180 lbs.
We need;
1. Your Full Name.
2. Home phone & Cell Phone
3. Home delivery address
4. Any form of Identification either Drivers license or International
Passport.
You are expected to come for the normalization of your Bill of Entry or it
will be shipped to your doorstep at your expense.
Best Regard.
Mr. Landman.
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Anti-fraud resources:
