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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 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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- finbanklondon12@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Hon. Musa Uzo" <customercare-standardchartered@live.com>
Reply-To: finbanklondon12@sify.com
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 10:56:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Attn: The Contractor (YOUR PAYMENT IS PAYING NOW)
Attn: The Contractor
This is to notify you that after we met today with The President, Finance
Minister, The Senators, House of Representatives and The Standard
Chartered Bank Deputy Governors We agreed to pay you your Contract fund
which the last Government failed to release to you and we came to a
conclusion that we have to pay you the sum of $10.7M. The payment will be
via Diplomatic courier service, Due to much scam in the transfer now we
decided to pay you this money cash at your door step.
Immediately you insure the consignment to avoid any stop on the way to
your home Therefore send your full name and full address. your house Tel.
Number. Mobil Tel Number
Your immediate respond is urgently needed. To the below Information
Hon. Musa Uzo
SCB settlement officer
Tell: 229 9655 7213
E-mail: finbanklondon12@sify.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
