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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:
- 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (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: "Mr. Fred Ferguson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pr_office@konin.lm.pl>
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:52:57 -0600
Subject: Re: Payment Waiver Fee Certificate
NATIONAL DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY SERVICE
Plot 1224 Alpena plaza Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria
PHONE: +234-808-154-9733
WE COVER THE GLOBE ON DIPLOMATIC SERVICE MATTERS
RE: SHIPPMENT OF YOUR ATM SWIFT CARD PACKAGE
Attn: Beneficiary,
This is to officially inform you that ATM card Worth Three Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$3.7Million) has been credited in your favor. You are only required to apply for a WAIVER FEE CERTIFICATE which will bypass all other administration, custom Charges etc; for easy delivery of your Atm Debit Card.
This Waiver Fee Certificate cost $82 only. Immediately we confirm your Payment, we will dispatch your said ATM DEBIT CARD to your address including all the relevant documents to back up your Claim and your Pin Number. Confirm your:
Full name
Address
Telephone number
For easy communication and delivery. Get back to us for payment information for $82 only.
THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION TO ENABLE THIS OFFICE SERVE YOU BETTER.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
MR. FRED FERGUSON
(OFFICER IN CHARGE).
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