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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:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- dhlcouriercservices@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Richard Hillton" <m.gramheadoffice1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dhlcouriercservices@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2022 20:09:06 +0100
Subject: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED
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Attention
This is to bring to your notice that we have credited your total sum
of $2.500,000.00 into an ATM VISA card and we have deposited it with
DHL Express Company to deliver it to you. We paid all the necessary
charges such as Company registration and Delivery charges of your ATM
VISA card.
The only money you will send to them is their security keeping fee of
$50usd. We tried to pay that but they complained that they don't know
when you will contact them for the delivery and the demur-rage might
have increased by then. I deposited it on 15/3/2022. Therefore,
contact them now with Your Full Name, Address and Phone Number.
DHL Express
Email; dhlcouriercservices@gmail.com
Tel; +229 65792798
Manager: Paul Benson
Try and send them the security keeping fee of $50 today to avoid
increment of the fee. Indicate these codes to prove that you are the
rightful owner of the ATM card and you can go ahead and purchase the
iTune card or steam wallet card or Google play card
Shipment Code;33DF6
Reg No; KDR44Q
Security Code; 5673
Yours,
Dr. Richard Hillton
MD/CEO, UBA
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Anti-fraud resources:
