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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Attorney General <"WWW."@treasury.gov>
Reply-To: Attorney General <attorneygeneral715@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2018 05:28:37 +0900 (JST)
Subject: This Notice is provided by the Department of justice VICTIM
NOTIFICATIONS SYSTEM (VNS)
This Notice is provided by the Department of justice VICTIM NOTIFICATIONS SYSTEM (VNS).The ATM MASTER EXPRESS CARD is credited with the sum of$10,500.000.00
USD(Five Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars), it is
already loaded in the Master Card which you can use to access your
fund in any ATM Stand/location worldwide and we have concluded delivery arrangement with the
below courier services companies and their delivery time is stated
below.
UPS=48hrs
FedEx=72hrs
DHL=4days
DESCRIPTION OF PARCEL:
ATM card/original certificate of weight :—–0.20kg
Bonded draft of weight :——————0.17kg
Total weight of parcel :——————–0.37kg
Color of Parcel :—————————-Dark Brown
Length of days :——————————24hours
Delivery Type:——————————-Premium Service
Delivery Status:——————————Virtual Pending
Customer Number:————————–FRAl45771001
Kindly provide me with the below details in your response to this
email and let me know which courier company you would want us to use
for the shipment of your ATM Card to you.
1. Valid Delivery Address:____________
2. Full Names:__________
3. Phone Number:__________
4. Occupation:__________
THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING.
Regard
Mr. Jeff Sessions, Attorney General
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Anti-fraud resources:
