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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: Gil Kerlikowske <info@securemail.com>
Reply-To: nw044305@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 04 May 2021 16:33:18 +0100
Subject:
--
Attention
This office is hereby to inform you about your pending delivery here
in United States. Which supposed to be delivered to you by Courier
Delivery agent from Africa since last month, but due to the
Consignment and ATM card was lacking up this very important
Certificate of Ownership during the time of the shipment which is
delaying you from receiving your consignment box and the ATM card
since.
Hence, the Us Government and United Nation has resolved the issue as
your delivery would be Immediately release and commence on the pending
delivery to your doorstep, This moment You are not going to pay any
other fee after paying the sum of $220 Dollars. I have decided to
handle this issue to resolve it immediately you comply to enable us
release your agent immediately as soon as you send the $220 across to
us.
We have taken all the protocol by our hands as instruction were given
by the United States Government and United Nation, Your delivery agent
has many years experience with Qualified Diplomatic Certificate for
this reason we are hereby to assure You that no further stoppages
towards this delivery until it Arrived to your door step! after
sending the fee.
I strongly suggest that if we must carry on and have this delivery
concluded for your mutual benefits, then please go ahead and send the
fee to our accountant officer receiver’s info below western union or
Money Gram money transfer office.
Receiver Name: NORA-SUZETTE HOLOKIA COPELAND
Country: United States
City : Califonia
Text Question: When?
Answer: today
Amount Expected Usd$220.00 dollars
Sender Name......
Money Transfer Controlling Number..............
Once you are through with the Money Transfer as instructed, kindly
include the Money Transfer payment details on receipt of the payment
the required Document that will cover the Shipment to your home will
be Obtained with your name. For immediately release your delivery
agent along with your consignment Box and ATM card to complete the
Shipment of the total sum of US$17.5million dollars.
The Us Government and United Nation set up this development after they
confirmed that you Funds are legitimate and you're advised to comply
without doubt let this mission work out for your own good. As we have
been instructed Failure to comply according to the instructions for
the finally claiming of the Funds after 3working day the Funds will be
return to the Federal Treasury Account.
I and Your Delivery agent are patiently waiting for your response and
compliance to allow him complete your delivery.
Signed/ Approved
Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske
A G Commissioner of U.S. Customs
And Border Protection
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