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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 agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "dip.ericbrown.2009@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Steven" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dip.ericbrown.2009@w.cn>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 03:48:26 -0600
Subject: CONTACT DIPLOMAT ERIC BROWN IN NEW YORK IMMEDAITELY
Attention Dear,
We wish to inform you that the diplomatic agent conveying the consignment box valued the sum of $2.8M United States Dollars misplaced your address and he is currently stranded at your International airport now.We was not informed in time that the box contains the amount mentioned above. We required you re-confirm the following informations below so that he can deliver your consignment box to you today as discussed with your agent.
Full NAME ===============
ADDRESS================
MOBILE ================
NAME OF YOUR NEAREST- AIRPORT:=============
A COPY OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION:===============
Please do contact the diplomatic agent with the email below with the informations required because he is not feeling comfortable at the airport.
Contact Person:AGENT ERIC BROWN
EMAIL: dip.ericbrown.2009@w.cn
He is waiting to hear from you today with the informations.NOTE :The Diplomatic agent does not know that the content of the consignment box is $2.8M United States Dollars and on no circumstances should you let him know the content or any body for the safety of the package as discussed with your agent.The consignments was moved from here as family treasures,so never allow him to open the box.
Mr Raymond Manna
Contract Manager
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Anti-fraud resources:
