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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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: DHL COURIER COMPANY <infoboaremittance@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dhlcourierservice098@outlook.com
Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2017 02:43:50 -0700
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT ATM VISA CARD DELIVERY.
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DHL INTERNATIONAL OFFICE BENIN EXPRESS.
DHL Delivery Services Company
Contact Person: Mr. André David
Tel: +22998438269.
Dear Beneficiary:
Please Contact DHL Courier Company Manager for your payment (ATM VISA
CARD) Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Valued of $1.8, million Dollars
(One Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only.) for
the result of Lottery Winning and Compensation as a victim of Internet
scam, You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the lucky
beneficiary to be paid this amount and it has been signed by the
United Nations Board of Directors and Trustees from the WORLD BANK
ASSISTED PROGRAMMED so kindly get back to us as soon as you receive
this important message for the immediate delivery of your payment (ATM
VISA CARD) to your home address.
Sincerely Yours,
DHL Delivery Services
Contact Person: Mr. André David
DHL Office Benin Republic
Tel: +22998438269.
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Anti-fraud resources:
