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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:
- "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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: RICHARD ROBERT <williamtomus648694@gmail.com>
Reply-To: riynfagt@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2023 03:42:01 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION
--
DEAR PACKAGE OWNER
This is to inform you that we have finally registered your ATM
Master CARD of $1.5 Million USD with a check of 1 million dollars
with DHL EXPRESS Courier Company with registration code ( Shipment
Code AWB33xzs).
contact Diplomat Richard Robert with your delivery address And your
nearest airport, we want to make sure
you finally get your funds try and provide official information to him
for smooth delivery of your
ATM card and a cheque.
reconfirm the following information, So that he will deliver your ATM
card abd a cheque t as soon as possible.
AND CONTACT HIM WITH YOUR FULL INFORMATION.
1. Full name .............
2. Country...............
3. Contact Address..........
4. Telephone Number ......
5. Marital Status .........
6. Occupation .............
7. Company ..............
8. age and sex.........
Please do not hesitate to provide Richard Robert with your delivery
information which will led him to locate you.
More so, we always want our diplomatic agent to be treated fairly on
arrival.
May God always be with you and your household
Regards,
Rev John Ronald
New director DHL Company
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Anti-fraud resources:
