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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.
- 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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "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)
- "cotonou" (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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- dhl.expresscompany@yahoo.com.cn (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Dhl Express Company <b.eco35@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: dhl.expresscompany@yahoo.com.cn
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:50:16 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: from DHL Express Shipments
DHL Express Shipments
TEL: ( +229) 98211297)
E-mail;dhl.expresscompany@yahoo.com.cn
Attention,
 your package was move Type.www.dhl.com and track this No. 4413325066 This is your consignment box. Content just 1.5million usd. Coming to you it is on Traffic now. Because you did not send the $85 that require for the settlement of customs. and the assurance to cover the package. Because you know that the Package content is money. So it will have insurance which total the $85 and it is urgent need. right now. see your tracking number and track the package Rush to western union or money Gram send the $85.00
Sign by Me Elizabeth TO usa
Track DHL Express Shipments
DHL’s online tracking is the fastest way to find out where your shipment is. No Â
need to call Customer Service when we can offer you real-time details of your Â
shipment’s progress as it speeds through the DHL Network on the way to its Â
destination.
Track the consignment,Tracking No 4413325066
So if you did not sent the $85 now the $1.5million usd in the consignment will Â
diverted Final.
So go and send the $85 with the below name
Receivers Name=====MR Okoye Lawrence
Country============Benin Republic
City===============Cotonou
Text question=======Urgent
Text answers======= Needed
Amount============$85.00usd
MTCN Number=======?
Senders Name=======
We are waiting for the mtcn number now.
Ms.Elizabeth
Address:Â Cotonou-Benin
E-mail:dhl.expresscompany@yahoo.com.cn
MR JOHN FRANCIS
Phone:+22998211297
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