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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)
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Matic" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drpaultaylor@sify.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 05:33:49 -0700
Subject: Airport With Your Consignment
ATTN; BENEFICIARY
I am a Diplomat from United Kingdom named (MR. PAUL FORSMAN)
mandated to deliver your Contact/Inheritance sum to you in your country
of residence.
The funds total US$15.5 Million and you were made the beneficiary of
these funds by our Ministry (F.G.N) with U.K Monetory Regulation Banks
Agency) ; after long time delay of your contract /Inheritance payment
the new elected Government and prime-Minister agreed to pay all
outstanding payment of Inheritance/contractors which your name was among
those that will be paid through diplomatic means.
please re-confirm your cotract details to enable me proceed to your
address as I am presently at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Alabama, U.S.A in the United States of America and before I can deliver the funds to you, you have to reconfirm the following information so as to ensure that I am dealing with the right person:
1. Full Name
2. Residential Address
4. Occupation
5. Direct Telephone Numbers
6. Contract Number?
After verification of the information with what I have on file,I shall
contact you so that we can make arrangements on the exact time I will be
bringing your package Consignment to your residential address.
Send the requested information so that we can proceed and attach is our
Office in the United Kingdom.
Regards,
Mrs. Paul Forsman
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Anti-fraud resources:
