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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:
- "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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Mansur Mukhtar." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <us_costomagent234@mcom.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2011 14:35:42 +0100
Subject: Attn, Beneficiary: Contact The Custom Agent
From Honorable Minister of Finance, Dr.Mansur Muhtar.
Approved by the Nigerian Government.
Attn, Beneficiary
This message is coming to you from the office of the Honorable Minister of Finance Federal Republic of Nigeria Government Reimbursement committee under the strict supervision of the United Nations to pay Five Thousand Nigerian 419 Scam victims.
I am writing to inform you that after the end of the meeting between the United Nations, Nigeria Government, American government , it was resolved that funds withheld by the Nigerian Government should be shipped to the U.S chief custom officer in Michigan just to make sure that the funds is been delivered to the right beneficiary and for security reasons.
So please be informed that your consignment had left Nigeria about Six hours ago for the united state of America so you will have to contact the U.S custom boss ..........th her contact address below and demand for the release of your consignment and then see if it has arrive to your country.
Contact Information of the U.S Custom Boss
Office to contact: U.S custom office
Contact person: North Caroline
Email Address: us_costomagent234@mcom.com
Have her contacted immediately for the release of your consignment and please you must try and Update me as soon as you receive your consignment. Looking forward to hear from you soon.
Thank You.
Dr. Mansur Mukhtar.
Honorable Minister of Finance
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Anti-fraud resources:
