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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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.
- ltgnurbencapayt@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "LT GENERAL BEN NURU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ltgnurbencadpt@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 04:08:22 -0700
Subject: CONCLUSION FOR YOUR PAYMENT.
OFFICE OF THE SECURITY ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
This Is To Notify You That After Our Meeting Today With The President, Accountant General Of The Federation, Office Of The Senate House, And House Of Representatives We Came To A Conclusion That We Have To Pay You The Sum Of $10.7Million As Your Contract Entitlement. The Payment Will Come To You Via Gld Diplomatic Courier Service; Therefore You Are To Re-Confirm The Following:
1. Your full name
2. Full address
3. Direct Phone
4. Direct Fax
5. Occupation, age and marital status
6. Nearest Airport
As per our Preseident directives you should hasten by provide the 1/6 informations for us release your fund.
Yours Sincerely,
LT GENERAL BEN NURU (RTD),
SECURITY ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT
Email {ltgnurbencapayt@yahoo.com}
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Anti-fraud resources:
