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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:
- "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)
- "million 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: jerry adams <jerryadams66@hosanna.net>
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:45:30 -0800
Subject: CONGATULATION! CONGATULATION!! CONGATULATION!!!
FROM FEDERAL MINISTRY OF
FINANCE.
C/203 AIR-PORT ROUTE BENIN REPUBLIC,
COTONOU.
DATE:
26-03-2010.
PHONE:
+229-99-41-88-21.
HOTLINE:
+229-97-34-71-40.
CONGATULATION!
CONGATULATION!! CONGATULATION!!!
Attn Beneficiary Farrokh Bulsara ,
How are you doing today? I hope all is well with you. I want to inform you
that am a new elected Governor of Federal Ministry of Finance Mr. Jerry
Adams. I want to also let you know that I saw your file in the office so
after checking your file, I realized that you spend a lot of money on this
transaction but you receive nothing but sending money to those liars.
You should stop any further communication with them because there are not
with your funds $1.5 Million United State Dollars, Bear this in your mind we
are not asking you for any money to send but I want to let you know that we
have arrange with the United Nation Diplomatic Agent that will deliver your
consignment box your door step.
Beside, note that the Diplomat Agent has left this night by 8:45 pm with
your consignment box to your address for the delivery so try and reconfirm
your information to me so that I will forward it to the agent to avoid wrong
delivery.
Kindly call me if you need any question to ask.
Thanks and God Bless you.
Mr. Jerry Adams.
Phone Number: : +229-99-41-88-21.
Hotline: +229-97-34-71-40.
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