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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:
- "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)
- 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.
- philipchelsea3@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "DR. Philip Chelsea" <nasorre@tin.it>
Reply-To: philipchelsea3@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2018 21:59:17 +0100 (CET)
Subject: ATTENTION
Attention dear your agent Dr.philip chelsea have get down at the
airport with your
package of your consignment box what of $3,8milllion
USD, he is waiting for you to make the delivering of your package
to you and get back. also he was sent from our office here in
washington
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUNDS(IMF) and he is DHL agent
you can text him a message when he was not able to received your
called +1(601)516-5047 or email him at (philipchelsea3@gmail.com)
thanks for your cooperation
sincerely
DR. Philip Chelsea
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Anti-fraud resources:
