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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:
- "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 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.
- consignmentunit1@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "CONSIGNMENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <unitc101@sify.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:20:38 +0100
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPOND...
AMCE Safety Vault Incorporated
95070 Aurora Ave N Ste 318
Seattle, WA 98133
Telephone: 1-206-299-2716 and fax 151-867-149-31.
Ref: Consignment NO. UNIC 321/182732558/M9182
Email: consignmentunit1@sify.com
Dear, Sir.
This is an official notification of a consignment marked 'PERSONAL EFFECTS' with the above reference number, deposited with us by a United Nations diplomat for an onward delivery to you. Since then, we have been waiting for you to contact us to arrange for the shipment to your destination. For your further confirmation email: consignmentunit1@sify.com
We arrange for the safekeeping of special and valuable packages and baggage entrust for reputable clients that are honest and trustworthy. Please do request that your package be couriered to your location by using the consignment reference number above in your return mail and including the following information's.
Your Full Name: __________________
Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code): _________________
Nearest Airport ______________
Direct Telephone/ Fax Number ______________________
E-mail Address: ____________________
Complete the above and send back to us as soon as possible for a possible Delivery timetable
Sincerely,
Kenneth Maynard
Operation Manager
ACME Safety Vault Incorporate.
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Anti-fraud resources:
