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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:
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "wudocumens@blumail.org" (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.
- 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: REV.DR.FRANK WILLIAMS. <moneygramm@blumail.org>
Reply-To: wudocumens@blumail.org
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:58:37 +0100
Subject: Contact The FeDEx Courier Company Immediately.
Hello Dear,
I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.but the manager of Eko Bank
Benin told me that before the check will get to you that it will expire.So
i told him to cash $1.5 Million all the necessary arrangement of
delivering the $1.5 Million in cash was made with FedEx Express Delivery
COMPANY LTD.This in the information they need to delivery your package to
you.
ATTN:DR.ALAHAJI MANGAR YARADUA.
TEl: +234-70-31-24-82-30
TEL: +234-70-31-24-82-30
EMAIL: ( wudocumens@blumail.org )
Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX.This is what they
need from you.
1.YOUR FULL NAME:
2.YOUR COUNTRY:
3.YOUR HOME ADDRESS:
4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE:
6.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE
7.COMPANY REGISTRATION NO EG58945
8.CODE NMBER 0140479
Please make sure you send this needed infomation to the Director general
of FedEx Express Delivery COMPANY Ltd DR.ALAHAJI MANGAR YARADUA. with the
address given to you.Note. The FedEx Express Delivery COMPANY Ltd don't
know the contents of the Box. I registered it asa Box of an Africa cloths
They don't know it contents money. this is to avoid them delaying with the
Box. don't let them know that is money that is in that Box.I am waiting
for your urgent response. You can even call the Director of DR.ALAHAJI
MANGAR YARADUA Ltd with this line +234-70-31-24-82-30
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
REV.DR.FRANK WILLIAMS.
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