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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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "COMPENSATION OFFICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <james.olawale@secretarias.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:08:51 +0800
Subject: Your Bank Draft Is Ready Call Mr.Olawale Now1
COMPENSATION HEAD OFFICE
ATTENTION:Beneficiary,
I was directed by my boss Mrs Amanda Rose to send you the certified bank Check as compensation Be inform that the check will be sent from WEST AFRICA but through my boss account with Caja Paloma Bank in Spain.
So the check will bears Caja Paloma Bank in Spain.This is a real check so be rest assured that the money will be cleared in your account immediately it is deposited in your account.
You are required to reconfirm your full name,address where the certified bank Check will be sent.Your telephone number is also needed for easy communication.
As soon as the information is received i will send you the cashier check through FASTWAY COURIER SERVICE and the tracking number will be sent to you to enable you track it down before it arrival in your country.
Meanwhile be inform that cost of shipment and the insurance coverage of certified cashier check are at your expenses which we have bargain with the courier company to make less expensive for you to be able to get you parcel without and form of delay.
Get back to me to enable me inquire about the cost of the Insurance and the courier charge of your check to be delivered at your doorstep and keep you informed.
Fill this form and return it back to me to enable me dispatch your check at once.
(1) Your full name-
(2) Your address -
(3) Your telephone number-
4) Company’s name-
your sincerely
James Olawale.
+2347-062-171-535
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