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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:
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- 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.
- 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_couriercompany@safe-mail.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: opus@opusuniformes.com.br
Date: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 09:41:46 +0000
Subject: URGENT CONTACT UNITED PARCELS SERVICES DHL
CONTACT UNITED PARCELS SERVICES DHL
Attn:
I have registered the ATM MASTER CARD with DHL COMPANY this morning as
we agreed and the delivery will take off tomorrow morning based on my
agreement with DHL Director: Mr. Obiora Iheme.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Reconfirm your current delivery address to him then
contact him via the following email:(dhl_couriercompany@Safe-mail.net)
Tel: +234 7031845872.
I will not be reached till July 4th, 2014. Your amount in the Card is
USD$4.5Million and the Pin code of your ATM CARD is: (1814). Have in
mind that the only fee you are required to pay is their Security fee
which is not more than $150 only. so ask them how much is it.
Thanks
Mrs. Joyce Kathy
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Anti-fraud resources:
