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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- ",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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- +22997852830 (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.
- shalom.courrierdeliverycompany01@yahoo.fr
Fraud email example:
From: "flores.ladd Gazeta.pl" <flores.ladd@gazeta.pl>
Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 19:42:44 +0100
Subject: CONTACT SHALOM FOR YOUR PAYMENT.
*CONTACT SHALOM FOR YOUR PAYMENT.
Dear Friend,
I am very happy to inform you about my success regarding the arrangement for
the delivery of your bank draft but the manager of EKO BANK told me that
before the cheque will get to you it will expire, so I asked him to cash the
$2,500,000.00(Two-million,Five-hundred Thousand United State dollars).
All the delivery arrangement of the $2.5 million in cash has been made with
SHALOM COURIER EQUIPTMENT and you have to send your information to SHALOM
COURIER EQUIPTMENT to enable them carry out the transaction.
Contact them with the below information and they will instruct you on how
you will receive the box, do comply with them and let me know when you
receive your box. *
*Here is the company information contact them immediately, *
*Name: PROF. EMMA EZE (FOREIGN DELIVERY DEPARTMENT)*
*Telephone:+229-97-852-830.*
*Email: **shalom.courrierdeliverycompany01@yahoo.fr*<shalom.courrierdeliverycompany01@yahoo.fr>
* *
*1.YOUR FULL NAME *
*2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS. *
*3. YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER *
*4. MOBILE PHONE NUMBER *
*5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE *
*6.YOUR OCCUPATION *
*7.YOUR AGE *
*Please note that your consignment cash money was register with SHALOM
COURIER EQUIPTMENT as African Cloth which you order for samples, do not
reviews the true content to the courier company to avoid diversion of your
consignment box.I have paid the delivery charges,you only need to send them
security kepping fees I think that is $105.00 Dollars to receive your
parckage. *
*Best Regards
Mrs.Florence Ladd.*
* *
Anti-fraud resources:
