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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:
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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: "MR. MARTIN KUFOR" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kufor.martin@yandex.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 18:18:27 +0100
Subject: Re: YOUR FUND IS GOING TO BE DELIVERED BY CASH
Att: Honourable Beneficiary,
With the mandate empower on us to release all Inheritance/beneficiary fund on
this last quarter of the year, Be informing that the Diplomatic Agency has
to move down to your Country in order to deliver the Consignment to your doorstep.
Note that as soon as the Diplomats arrive in your Country they will call you.
For security reason you are advice to follow the rules and regulation of the
diplomats for easy collection of the consignment, you have to welcome the diplomatic agent,
to enable them deliver the Consignment to you immediately.
.
I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and your payment is
being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.
Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding payment is US$25.5 million
dollars (twenty five million five hundred thousand united states dollars)But we going to
pay you (USD$10.500.000) ten million five hundred thousand united state dollars AS part
payment for now.Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:
Your Full Name: ______________________________
Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code not
P.O.BOX) : ______________________________
Name of City of Residence:_______________________________
Country:____________________________________
Direct Telephone Number:
Mobile
Number:____________________________________
Nearest airport:________________________________
Working Identity Card/Int’l Passport:________________________________
As soon as the above mentioned details are received, your payment will be made to you via
diplomatic courier delivery in accordance to World Bank and IMF recommendations. A diplomat
with international travel immunity will be contracted to deliver the funds at your doorstep.
Your Faithfully
Martin Kufor
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK(AFDB)
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Anti-fraud resources:
