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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 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "BONGANI KEITA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bonganikeita@gmx.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 23:01:51 -0700
Subject: HELLO
HELLO SIR
I HAVE AN URGENT BUSINESS OFFER FOR YOU . WE HAVE ONE OF THE PARAMOUNT
CHIEF FROM WESTERN REGION GHANA THAT PASS ON DEC 2-12-2013.HE DEPOSITED A
CONSIGNMENT WITH OUR SECURITY FIRM WHERE I WORK AS VAULT MANAGER.I WAS THE
ONLY PERSON THAT KEEPS HIS SECRET DOCUMENTS SUCH AS DEPOSIT SLIP/REAL
ESTATE AND GOLD DOCUMENTS.BECAUSE HE MARRIED MANY WIFE'S AND NEVER TRUSTED
THEM.
THE CONSIGNMENT CONTAINED GOLD BARS WHICH VILLAGE MINER'S GAVE TO HIM AS
PART OF THERE ROYALTY AND CASH MONEY IN MILLIONS OF USD DOLLARS MADE FROM
THE SELLS OF GOLD DUST AND BAR. BUT HE KEPT IT THAT THE CONSIGNMENT
BELONGS TO HIS FOREIGN PARTNER FOR SAFE KEEPING.
ALL I NEED FROM YOU IS TO STAND TO CLAIM THE BOX AS THE FOREIGN PARTNER
OUT FROM OUR SECURITY COMPANY.PLS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED KINDLY RESPOND
IMMEDIATELY.
AS SOON AS I HEAR FROM YOU I WILL GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS AND THE WAY
FORWARD. I HAVE EVERY PROOF TO SHOW YOU AS WE PROCEED.
WARM REGARDS
BONGANI KEITA
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Anti-fraud resources:
