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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 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:
- "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)
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "williams" <williams_douglas28@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:28:57 -0300
Subject: from douglas
Financial Advisory Services London.Uk
In associate with the Global Finance and Security Company
16 Alpha Business Centre
60 South Grove
London. E17 7NX
TEL no:+447551350106
IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): G.B.C. 0097 H.C.A./Your Memo
Title: Beneficiary Unpaid
Level of description: Finalized
I am williams douglas a diplomat with the financial advisory department. Your
information along with 4 others has been given to me for diplomatic delivery
of your consignment of funds and valuables goods.
My destination will be at your airport in your country or your home designated
location for the delivery of your consignment in my custody to you personally.
I will be booking my flight itinerary as soon as i hear from you
Williams Douglas: hence my notification for you to confirm your home address
I want to inform you that i will be meeting with you personally and face to
face to delivery hand in hand your consignment in my custody. I will need a
valid identification from you and a valid phone number for me to reach you.
You will have to inform me of your present destination/location so i will know
how far you are from the airport.
Kindly get back to me as quick as you can through emailing me for the delivery
to commence immediately.
Congratulations!
Respond swiftly.
Regards,
williams douglas
Diplomat for FAS.
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Anti-fraud resources:
