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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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "tax clearance" (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 ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
- "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 ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
- "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)
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "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.
- +447031982672 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- ukdhlcourier01@mail2uk.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "HARRISON, GRACE" <HGrace@dhl.co.uk>
Reply-To: ukdhlcourier01@mail2uk.com
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:05:32 -0500
Subject: CONFIRM YOUR PACKAGE WITH DHL COURIER SERVICE NOW!!!
DHL Worldwide Express
Unit 6/7, Kingsway Interchange
11th Avenue
Team Valley Trading Estate
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
NE11 0JY
Dear Valued Customer
We wish to re-confirm to you of your certified Bank Draft valued US$600,000.00 deposited by the Heritage International lottery Company here in UK in accordance with the United Kingdom Revenue Inland Commission for immediate delivery to your home destination. You are hereby requested to contact us (DHL COURIER/DELIVERY SERVICE, for onward processing and delivery of your package with us before the expiration of your certified bank draft.
For your information, the Governing board have paid for the Delivery(DHL Standard) Charges, Tax Clearance Certificate from the Inland Revenue office indicating that you certified bank draft is free from Drug/terrorism, and Money laundering or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country. Note that these funds are freely donated to you to meet with the objective of Human Growth, Educational and Community development in this year 2008.
However, you are directed to furnish us with £250 only being Hardcover Insurance Fee, this is our company's precautionary motive in case of demurrage.
Also you are requested to confirm to us your recent contact information to which your package would be delivered to;
1. Full Names: 2. Home Address 3.City 4. Zip 5.Country 6.Telephone No.
Should you expedite action, you are requested to contact our receiving officer;
Rev. Soso Maxwell
Email Address: ukdhlcourier01@mail2uk.com
Tel: +44-703-198-2672
Fax: +44-709-288-9285
You will be given a tracking number, routine way bill and the date of delivery as soon your contact with us to enable you track your package via online.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs. Grace Harrison
Customer Service Center.
© 2008.
Anti-fraud resources:
