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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. )
- "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. )
- "million 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 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.
- lukas.powell1@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "DIPLOMAT LUKAS POWELL" <labsaj@midiowa.net>
Reply-To: lukas.powell1@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2018 18:22:39 -0600
Subject: CALL OR TEXT +1 (850) 781-0953
Attention Dear ATM Visa Card Owner,
I am Diplomat Lukas Powell, I want to inform you that I am instructed to
deliver an ATM Card worth of $2.5 Million United States Dollars to you and
i have successfully arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport New
York with the ATM VISA CARD few minutes ago.
Right now, the package is undergoing clearance as required. The Airport
authorities here in John F. Kennedy Airport held over your package they
demanded for all the legal documents which proves that the ATM Card
rightfully belongs to the owner whose Name appear on the ATM Card.
I have submitted all the legal documents I have with me to them. So right
now you are required by the Airport Authorities to present this ATM Card
clearance certificate which will be issued to you from our head office in
Benin Republic to make this prove i presented to them complete for
immediate delivery to your door step.
KINDLY FILL IN THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR VERIFICATION AND RECONFIRMATION:
Your Full Name:
Your City and Country:
Your Direct Telephone Numbers:
Your Current Home Address:
Your Current Occupation:
Your age:
Your Email:
Call or text me, once you receives this message as I really needed to
communicate with you so that i will be able to deliver this ATM Card to
you as soon as possible. Phone: +1 (850) 781-0953
Regards,
Diplomat Mr. Lukas Powell
DHL Express Courier Company, Dispatching Agent.
Phone: +1 (850) 781-0953
Email: lukas.powell1@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
