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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 required fees" (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. )
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "below is the details of " (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS JACKIE BELGORE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsjackiebelgore3@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:43:19 -0000
Subject: URGENT UPDATE (YOUR PACKAGE WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR STEP WITHIN 24HOURS.... CHECK BELOW FOR DETAILS
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington , DC 20520.
11:45:15 Am
ATTN: FUND BENEFICIARY
Good day to you, This is to make you understand that this agency has taken a different dimension in trying to find a suitable method on how to deliver your ATM CARD which is valued at the sum of $5,000,000.00 USD to your address in which the package is right now in California, USA and has been there since FedEx Courier Company stated that the package is now available for Clearance.
So you would now easily remit the over-charged fees of $165 USD so that the Courier Company could correct your delivery address and then get the package delivered to your address/country immediately as the offices just opened for the new year.
The Government has mandated that this package must be delivered to your address within 1 week from now or rather be returned back to Nigeria as unclaimed property.
If you are still interested in receiving your ATM CARD then you will be forwarding to us your personal contact number and your correct delivery address so that it could be changed immediately and then to enable FedEx Courier Company make the delivery to you.
Below is the details of your package so that you can personally track it to see the status and since when it was shipped.
FEDEX WEBSITE : www.fedex.com
TRACKING NUMBER: 899575417896
So please do go to the FedEx website and track your package to see the current status and do understand that we did inform the Courier Company to hold on a little while to enable you send the required fees so that the delivery could be made to your address.
Do send the payment to the account officer over there in USA as your package is no longer in Nigeria and will be ready for delivery as soon as the release fees of $165 USD has been received.
RECEIVER NAME: PAUL HAYWARD
LOCATIO: 811 WEST SALEM AVE INDIANOLA IOWA 50125-2346 USA
TEXT QUESTION: IN GOD
ANSWER: WE TRUST
AMOUNT: $165 USD
Do send the payment details to us as soon as you send the fees and the reason why you need to hasten up with the fees is because of the time schedule to enable the agent get this package delivered to you without any further delay.
THIS IS THE FINAL STEP NEEDED TO GET YOUR PACKAGE DELIVERED TO YOUR ADDRESS AND DON'T FORGET THAT YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO GET THIS PENDING MATTER CONCLUDED OR STAND A CHANCE OF LOSING THE ENTIRE PACKAGE.
Regards
Mrs Jackie Belgore
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
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Anti-fraud resources:
