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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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "dhl.dhl@skymail.mn" (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: "Mrs. Jay Johnston" <benmartin.org@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dhl.dhl@skymail.mn
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 06:27:19 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT DHL MANAGER FOR YOUR PACKAGE
Beneficiary:
Your package is with DHL Company here in Nigeria. I want you to contact them to know When they will deliver your package which contains your $1.5Million.
I have paid for the delivery charge and insurance Fee. The only money you will send to them is there Security keeping charge of $155 to receive your Package from them.
This is their Contact Address,
Dr.Alex Kumar Director Dhl courier Service Company Nigeria.
E-mail (dhl.dhl@skymail.mn)
Phone number +234-7083-488-568
Try to contact them as soon as possible.
Below is the information you are required to send to them:
(1) Full name-----
(2) Home Address:----
(3) Telephone:----
(4) Age:----------
(5) Sex:-------
Your Nearest Airport.
I have given them your address. but you have to reconfirm it to them again to avoid any mistake on delivering your package to you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Jay Johnston.
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Anti-fraud resources:
