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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:
- "clearance 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. )
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIERS SERVICES <iammrlewjackj@gmail.com>
Reply-To: emsglobalnetwork@pacificwest.com
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2022 18:01:29 +0100
Subject: Greetings from Global Express Couriers Services
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Greetings from Global Express Couriers Services
[Worldwide Logistics]
I am pleased to be of service to you regarding the delivery of your awarded
compensation fund which was brought to my office by the United Nations
agent. The Funds was drawn from the United Nations Compensation Fund and
the World Bank's Covid-19 Grant Fund to compensate you for loss and damage
suffered as a direct result of Convid-19 and the scam.
It may interest you to know that this agent has paid our shipping and
insurance fee. And he has also certified that the fund awarded to you is
not a drug-related fund (DAF) nor is it intended to finance terrorism in
your country. But did not pay the $260.00 customs clearance fee, which is
mandatory for all international packages.
We are obligated to successfully deliver these funds to you and report to
the Commissioner that funds have been delivered to the beneficiary. Please
note that any undelivered funds within twelve days shall be returned to the
Commission.
I therefore advised you to send this custom clearance fee, to enable us
complete your delivery without any hindrance.
Thanks for your understanding as I await your urgent reply,
Sincerely,
Daniel Russ - Dispatch Manager
Global Logistics Company- Worldwide 2021. All Rights Reserved
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Anti-fraud resources:
