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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:
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Emeka John <zenith_bank1@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: emekajohn2012@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 12:53:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Office of the Governor
Office of the Governor
Central bank of Nigeria
Tinubu Square, Victoria
island, Lagos Nigeria
Attention. Beneficiary,
this is to notify you that your funds has been programmed for immediate
release into your nominated account but we can not transfer this funds direct
to your nominated bank account, because we are having a problem with
international monetary fund (imf) so our method of payment is by diplomatic
courier service note; that every arrangement regarding your cash payment
through diplomatic services has been made, note that your funds have been
package like a consignment.
be inform that the diplomatic agency has to move down to your country in order
to deliver the consignment to your doorstep. I want you to send your direct
mobile phone and your home addresses to me immediately, so that as soon as the
diplomatic arrivein state they will call you immediately to notify you.
looking forward to hear from you.
Yours Faithfully.
Dr Emeka John
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Anti-fraud resources:
