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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "certificate fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "required fee " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "security keeping fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- 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.
- fedex_dispatcpostman@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "dfl_shafaul" <dfl_shafaul@cliftongroupbd.com>
Reply-To: fedex_dispatcpostman@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 04:09:19 +0600
Subject: Attention
Attention: Parcel Owner
We have waited enough to hear from you so that your Conformable Bank Draft could be
shipped to your address.This transaction indicates that your Bank Draft has officially
cleared for delivery by the FedEx Organization here in Nigeria. There is one Mrs. Lisa
Edward, who came to our Head office to place your Bank Draft of $ 750.000.00 United
States Dollars on out going delivery. For your information, He have paid for the
delivering Charge, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing
that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.
The only money you will send to the FedEx Delivery to delivery your Bank Draft direct to
your postal Address in your country is ($ 100 US Dollars) only being for Security
Keeping Fee of the Delivery Company. He would have paid that, but they said no because
they don't know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage. You have to
contact the FedEx Delivery now for the delivery of your Draft with this.
Contact Mr Fred Aiyanyor
Email: fedex_dispatcpostman@hotmail.com
SHIPPING DETAILS;
NAME:
SHIPPING ADDRESS:
YOUR COUNTRY:
CELL PHONE NUMBER:
Do Send us the above details for immediate shipment of your Bank Draft upon the
confirmation of the required fee $100 USD for the Security keeping fee, should be paid
to enable us commence shipment of your parcel. For urgent enquiries and to confirm your
shipping code call and a tracking number will be giving to you for you to monitor your
parcel online
+234 807589 4830
Regard
Mr. Nicholas Duke
Dispatch Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
