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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "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)
- 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.
- atlcomany001@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr.Jerry Mark <jerry@henrylong.website.tk>
Reply-To: <jery_mark00111@qq.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2016 11:56:52 -0700
Subject: Your urgent respond needed
Dear Friend,
I have been expecting you to come down for the collection of your check of $850,000.00 USD but did not hear from you, so i took the check to the issuing bank due to my already scheduled travel but the bank manager told me that the check will expire before getting to you hence the only alternative was to cash the check which i did with the immense assistance of the Bank Manager. The total cash $850,000.00 USD has been packaged in a sealed consignment box and a legitimate arrangement was made with Atlas Security company for safe keeping until you contact them for the delivery of the consignment box to your address. The deposit code is ( ATLAS - 230516 ) Manager of the company can be reached via the contact information below.
Manager : Dr. Bretton Zamani
E-mail : atlcomany001@hotmail.com
Phone number : +22998187941
Please note that I registered the sealed consignment with them as a Box of "Family Valuables" so Atlas Security company doesn’t know the real contents of the Box and i advise you keep confidential for the safety of the funds until it arrives your address. I have already paid for the delivery and insurance fee, but you must contact them urgently to reconfirm your delivery details and further avoid accumulation of security keeping fee.
Send them your contact information as stated below to able them locate you immediately they arrive your country with the Consignment Box.
- Full Names
- Delivery Address
- Telephone/Mobile number
- Nearest Airport
- Copy of Identification
Remember to include the deposit code of the consignment box while contacting the company because that is the only code to identify its beneficiary and Let me know as soon as you receive your compensation funds.
Best regards,
Charles Kelvin.
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Anti-fraud resources:
