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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:
- "security keeping 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. )
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- fedalexcole.ng@deliveryman.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Alex Cole" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 5 May 2012 03:34:51 -0700
Subject: Your Granting number is(UNO-154/4456/011).
FEDEX EXPRESS
70 International Airport Road
Mafoluku, Lago.
E-mail: Fedalexcole.ng@deliveryman.com
Tel:+
Attn: Beneficiary.
Your email has been selected by the United Nations(Ecowas, Europen Union)for a cash grant award (Of USD$2.1 Million United State Dollars.) for this year 2012 Grant Award. Your email address was selected during our random email balloting for the cash grant and if you received this notification, it means that you are Lucky beneficiary of our cash grant award.
The United Nations authorities has decided to give this award to 10 Beneficiaries from all over the world to help facilitate and improve the standard of living to the Commission, on the Limits of the strong Continental Shelf for developing States, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, and compliance with article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This grant is been aided by the United Nations development program and the united nations trust funds for human security.
Your cash granting number is(UNO-154/4456/011). For your information the VAT and COD have been paid and the only money you will have to pay is the security keeping fee which is USD$220. Do contact us with your information’s as soon as possible.
1.Your Full Name...
2.Your Address...
3.Your Tel Number....
4.Occupation.......
5.Country....
6.City.........
7.Age.........
8.Gender.....
we waiting to receive the above information from your so that we can
direct you where to send the security keeping fee charge of USD$220 which
is only delay now.
Mr.Alex Cole
Dispatch Director. FedEX.
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Anti-fraud resources:
