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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier service" (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.
- 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.
- +447010087883 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "POST VAN COURIER SERVICES UK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <postvan_courier@post.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 10:50:39 -0000
Subject: POST VAN COURIER SERVICES, VERY URGENT.
POST VAN Courier Service UK
ATTN: Sir/Madam
Your package which content worth Values and some documents has
been returned to
the POST VAN COURIER SERVICE here in London.
Reasons for the return was,,
- Incorrect delivery address of package:
- Insurance of parcel expired 20th march 2014.
Note: This Package was approved and sent to us FINANCIAL SERVICE
AUTHORITY as registered to pending Award 2014 Foundation in UK
Content: A Natwest bank Cheque/ATM OF £550,000 (Five Hundred and
Fifty Thousand British Pounds.)
Document from Award 2013-2014 foundation UK
Bank approval documents from Finance Service Authority UK
To enable us delivery your package safely to you and to help our
international services , we request you to send us your correct
details.
Mistakes in details will affect easy delivery :Include your
identification proof as a rightful owner of details.
Fill the below Verification Form for proper delivery:
*Full Names:...........
*Home Address:.........
*Gender/Sex:...........
*Date of Birth:........
*Your Occupation:......
*State/City:...........
*Country:..............
*Cellphone No:.........
*Home Phone No:........
Waiting for your urgent reply
Best Regard,
Mrs.G. Powel
Logistics & Delivery Dept.
Our Customer Care Center is open 7am-7pm Monday to Friday and 8am
-12 midday Saturday and can be
contacted on +447-010087883.
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Anti-fraud resources:
