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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:
- "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)
- "courier service" (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: Michelle Martin <jim972653@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officeemailbox71@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2021 12:39:54 +0100
Subject: Good Morning To Dear Beneficary .
--
Attention:
I have been informed by the International Monetary Fund to anticipate
you message. Your CODE number has been verified and confirmed to
relate to a
ATM master card valued the sum of US$2,9million {Two Million Nine
Hundred Thousand Dollars}. The ATM Master Card has issued to your name
and we have
concluded the processing of all documents that will facilitate the
clearance of the ATM Card in any Airport. Your delivery address will
be needed. SUCH AS:
FULL NAME:
FULL ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
NEAREST AIRPORT:
Your ATM card will be deposit to one of these company .
These documents has to be secure sealed and packed for security
reasons which will make it impossible for anyone to view it until it's
delivered to you.
Your ATM Card is protect by hardcover insurance policy, which will
also makes it impossible to deduct any amount from the ATM Card until
it will be
remitted to you.
Choose delivery option below that is most convenient to you.
(1)FedEx Delivery Company
Duration for Delivery: 24hrs
Amount: US $270 {No C.O.D}
(2)UPS Delivery Company
Duration for Delivery 48hrs
Amount: US $250 {No C.O.D}
(3)DHL Delivery Company
Duration for Delivery 24hrs
Amount: US $310 {No C.O.D}
Kindly confirm receipt of the mail with the delivery option most
convenient to you within 24hrs. And you shall be informed on how to
make payments of the
charges.
Failure to produce the delivery fee will mean refusal of consignment
delivery by the courier service so as to enable this company secure
good name they
have always maintained, since the package delivery without insurance
will be illegal. Insurance is the International law guiding the
authentic delivery of
diplomatic document.
We look forward to serving you better.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Michelle Martin
Member to House Homeland Security Committee
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Anti-fraud resources:
