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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 permit" (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)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- 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.
- mrgarryellis489@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. GARY ELLIS" <baharulidakasimu@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrgarryellis489@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2022 10:08:23 -0700
Subject: YOUR ABANDON SHIPMENT IS READY.
I am Mr. Garry Ellis, Head of Inspection Unit United Nations office.
inspection Agency in Harts field Jackson International Airport
Atlanta, GA. During our investigation, We discovered An abandoned
shipment through a Diplomat from United Kingdom which was transferred
from JF Kennedy Airport. To our facility here in Atlanta, and when
scanned it revealed an undisclosed sum of money in 2 Metal Consignment
Package weighing approximately 110kg each. The consignment was abandoned
because the Content was not properly declared by the consignee
Right now you need the consignment clearance permit or allow us repatriate
it back to UK(place of origin) as we were instructed. Like I did say again the
shipper abandoned it and ran away most importantly because he gave a false
declaration, you have to get back this packages provided you will also give me
something out of it(financial gratification)Contact Email Address
(mrgarryellis489@gmail.com)
I wait to hear from you very urgently.
Sincerely,
Mr. Garry Ellis.
Head Officer-in-Charge
Administrative Service Inspection Unit
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Anti-fraud resources:
