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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: "Mr. Nelson Joseph" <npeter@kimo.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:44:54 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Re: Payment by Cash
Mr. Nelson Joseph.
Payment Protocol Officer.
United Kingdom Payment Center.
Good day,
For your information we have concluded to release and bring your Lottery Winner/Inheritance fund to you by CASH PAYMENT METHOD approved by World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund in conjunction with United Nation Organization, through a Diplomatic Delivery System, the said fund of $10.5Million will be package and accompany by a Security Company Delivery Agent basically the said fund is now with a Security Company & Vault. Please confirm to us your readiness to claim and receive your approved funds as we can proceed without any further delay.
As soon as we receive your full contact details such as your full names / company's or house address where to deliver the shipment and telephone/fax number to reach you, then further details shall be giving to you.
Yours Faithfully.
Mr. Nelson Joseph.
Payment Protocol Officer.
United Kingdom Payment Center.
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Anti-fraud resources:
