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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- jerryemekang@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "The Presidency" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:30:07 -0800
Subject: RE: YOUR OVERDUE PAYMENT APPROVED AND DISPATCHED
The Presidency
129 Herbert macauly way,
Lagos- Nigeria
Your overdue payment have been granted presidential pardon and hence was approved for secured cash delivery to your doorstep withn the next 24 hours following the dispach order of the cash payment consignment accompanied by government representatives to ensure it is delivered to your address safely.
Following this development the dispatch crew headed by Mr. Jerry Emeka left Nigeria last night and are due to arrive your country today for delivery of the sum of $7.5million to you, you are required to forward to Jerry Emeka the following to enable him effect the safe delivery of this funds to you.
name of receiver..............................................
current address of receiver...................................
Telephone no/mobile telephone.................................. mobile telephone preferably
Means of identification........................................ must be presented to him on meeting him
Consignment secret question: What car
Consignment secret answer: BMW
Consignment identification code: NG1935GH38
Contact Mr. Jerry Emeka using the info below
telephone: +234 8064 9428 41
Email address: jerryemekang@yahoo.com
Jerry Emeka's phone has been roamed to work on arrival in your country so try to keep in touch with him and forward to him the above requested to enable him have a swift delivery of your consignment because he will be travelling for another delivery shortly after delivering yours.
Regards,
Dr. Smith Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
