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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.
- 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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "required fee " (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- agent.davidmark015@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. DAVIDMARK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.davidmark.diplomatic2018@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2017 00:48:03 -0800
Subject: I'm The Agent Assigned To Deliver Your Package!!
Attention: Dear Beneficiary,
This is to inform you that I was instructed to deliver a package to you by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for your overdue unclaimed inheritance payment worth of $8,500.000.00 (Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) which was converted into ATM VISA CARD and registered for delivery through DIPLOMATIC SERVICE (DS) to your nominated address and I'm currently at (Texas International Airport) with your PACKAGE to deliver to you, but unfortunately the delivery was intercepted by custom and airport authorities because you are required to obtain the CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE of the package which will identify you as the bonafide beneficiary of the above mention amount and you required to obtain the document here in TEXAS and it will cost you sum of $395.00 (Three Hundred And Ninety-Five Dollars) only and also remember to re-confirm your personal address below for successful delivery of your package to our designated address immerdiately after you have obt
ained the needed clearanc
Your Full Name:.............
Your Current Residential Address:.................
Your Working Telephone Number:.................
Your Working Mobile Number:....................
Name of Your Nearest Airport:....................
A Copy of Your Passport/Drivers License,(If possible):..............
So kindly provide the information above after that I will instruct on how to the required fee of $395.00 (Three Hundred And Ninety-Five Dollars) for obtaining the clearance certificate here in Texas Int'l Airport where the package is (ON-HOLD) before you can be able to receive the package.
Contact Person: Mr. David Mark
E-mail: (agent.davidmark015@gmail.com)
As soon as you complied with all the necessary requirement, the custom authorities will allow me to deliver the package to you with immediate effect. So hurry up and get back to me immediately.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. David Mark
Senior Diplomatic Agent.
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