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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- 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.
- dhldeliveringcompanybenin60@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.Ikeli obi Esq" <ikeliobi77@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: "MR.Ikeli obi Esq" <dhldeliveringcompanybenin60@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2014 13:19:44 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Attention
 Attention,
This is to inform you that your long awaiting fund worth $2,500,000.00 hasbeen approved to be delivered to you in Good faith.
We are very sorry for our late response, we have been working very hard tocome up with proper modalities of making the delivery to you through DHLand we have come to a final conclusion from our last meeting that you aregoing to receive your FUND through ATM CARD.
Please don't let them know the content of the package to avoid any problemor miss packaging ok.
Reconfirm your current information to DHL Courier Company for immediateprocedure. Such as below
YOUR NAME_______________YOUR HOME ADDRESS_______YOUR ID COPY____________YOUR COUNTY___________YOUR AGE/SEX_____________DIRECT PHONE NUMBER____YOUR OCCUPATION______
DHL Contact person.
MR WILLIAM KALA (General Director)Email:(dhldeliveringcompanybenin60@gmail.com)Phone:+229-688-753-37
Thanks and God Bless You.
Regard,MR.Ikeli obi Esq
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Anti-fraud resources:
