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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (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.
- +22993925957 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- global_max_courier_coltd@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: mikco01@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 03:51:12 +0200
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?GlOBAL=20DIPLOMATIC=20MAX=20COURIER=20SERVICE?=
Attn:Friend ,
Its my pleasure to inform you that your fund of $800,000.00 (EIGTH
HUNDRED
THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS)certified bank draft has been converted to
cash through the help of the issuing bank as it has delayed more than necessary
and to avoid expiring,that is why Your fund was packaged in aconsignment
and it will be delivered to you as a cash payment by the diplomats .
However your consignment containing your fund has been registered as
African Fabrics with GlOBAL DIPLOMATIC MAX COURIER SERVICE LIMITED for immediate
delivery of your consignment to your destination.
You are required to contact the GlOBAL DIPLOMATIC MAX COURIER SERVICE
LIMITED
here
in cotonou Benin for immediate delivery of your consignment to your
home address as they are waiting to hear from you to receive your
information where to deliver your box.You can reach them with the below
information
Dr FRANK HALL (DIRECTOR GENERAL)
2/4 Seme route
Cotonou,Benin
EMAIL;(global_max_courier_coltd@yahoo.fr)
Tel; +229 93925957
Below is the consignment registration number
CON/5478/MTM/07.
You are required to include it in your E-mail which you will send to the
diplomatic company.If you have any identification ,you can send it
aswell.As soon as you receive your consignment inform me.For your information.
do not disclose the content of the box to the company as it was
registered
as AFRICA FABRIC MATERIALS.THEY DID NOT KOW IT CONTAINS MONEY.SO TAKE NOTE
Regards
Micheal Patrick.
Anti-fraud resources:
