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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:
- "insurance fee " (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "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. )
- "hmrevenuecustoms@administrativos.com" (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: "HM Revenue & Customs Services" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hmrevenuecustoms@administrativos.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:24:24 +0100
Subject: YOUR CHEQUE OF 500,000.00GBP NOW IN OUR OFFICE.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) was formed following the merger of Inland Revenue,
HM Customs and Excise Departments and we wish to inform you that your parcel
containing a Cashier's Cheque of 500,000.00 British Pounds which was issued and
ready to be paid in your name has been held in our custody as it was withheld
from the Courier Agencies wanting to manipulate the delivery of the cheque and
for the unforeseen delay it has gone through before our intervention.
From the information we gathered, the parcel was covered with an insurance
policy which make the cheque authentic and cashable by you alone being the
beneficiary of the allocated sum. To further enable us clarify and convey your
cheque immediately, we advice you contact and acquaint us with the following
information's immediately;
Name:
Full Residential Address:
Telephone Number:
The above information should be forward to us through the Officer in charge as
stated below;
HM Revenue & Customs
Excise Department
Mr. Mark Haysom
Email: hmrevenuecustoms@administrativos.com
Meanwhile, the shipment of the checks has been paid and will be processed
immediately we hear from you but it is very important we settle the Insurance
fee of the check which is 135.00 British Pounds. The Insurance company will not
release the parcel for shipment until this has been done. Contact Mr. Mark
Haysom immediately so he can put you through the necessary process. We are
sincerely sorry for whatsoever inconveniences this might have caused you.
HM Revenue & Customs
Crownhill Court
Tailyour Road
Plymouth PL6 5BZ
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