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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)
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- comp_ups@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Barrister David Parker <fileoffice80@gmail.com>
Reply-To: comp_ups@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:03:55 +0530 (IST)
Subject: CONTACT MR.JAMES SAM
Attention My Dear,
This is Barrister David Parker Minister Of Finance Benin Du Republic,I wish to inform you that your compensation Consignment box worth $2.5 Million Dollars have been deposited to the UPS DELIVERY COMPANY to be delivered to your designated home address as soon as possible.
You try to get in contact with them as soon as you got this email because their are waiting to hear from you to avoid any wrong delivery, This is the information they need to delivery your package to you with UPS COURIER COMPANY.
Contact them now
NAME: UPS COURIER COMPANY.
DIRECTOR Mr.James Sam POSITION:
FOREIGN DELIVERY DEPARTMENT.
E-MAIL:(comp_ups@yahoo.fr)
Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they needs from you.
1.YOUR FULL NAME__________________
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS___________________
3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER_____________________
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE_____________________
5.SEX/ AGE_____________________
6.YOUR OCCUPATION_____________________
7.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE_____________________
Note that this is there E-mail contact is (UPS) Please make sure you send this needed info's to the Director general of UPS COURIER COMPANY BENIN REPUBLIC ,Mr.James Sam with the address given to you.
NOTE. The UPS COURIER COMPANY doesnt know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a Box of family valuables. They don't know it contents money, this is to avoid them delaying with the Box. Dont let them know that is money that is in that Box for security reasons.
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Yours sincerely
Barrister David Parker
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