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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "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.
- w.ecowas67@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: GREGORI ECHIOMA <"FEDEX."@chive.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: GREGORI ECHIOMA <echiomaude@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2018 15:55:02 +0900 (JST)
Subject: GOOD DAY TO YOU DEAR,
I AM MR. GREGORI ECHIOMA,
just to inform you about my successful arrival at ALEXANDRIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HERE IN LOUISIANA, with your box of consignment worth $25.87MUSD which I have been instructed by ECOWAS FEDEX COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY BENIN REPUBLIC, to be delivered to you.
I will like you to reconfirm to me the following details,
Your Full Name;___________
Your Current Home Address;________
Your Telephone Number;______
Your Country Of Origin;_____
Your Nearest Airport;_
Your all your email address;_____
The reason I ask you to reconfirm to me this following details is to avoid
wrong delivery.
Yours Sincerely,
GREGORI ECHIOMA
FEDEX COURIER DIPLOMATIC AGENT
Email:w.ecowas67@yahoo.com
Call or text (+1)-225-627-8263.
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Anti-fraud resources:
