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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "ANDREW FRED" <info@fedex.org>
Reply-To: fedexcompany@qq.com
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 10:18:27 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Dear Customer!!!
Dear Customer!!!
We have been waiting for you to contact us for the Confirmation of a
Package that is registered with us for shipping to your residential
Location.
We understand that the content of your package itself is a Bank Draft
worth of $750,000.00 USD. This package is registered with Us for mailing
by United Nations Humanitarian Affairs and UNESCO for educational/poverty
eradication developmental program globally.
We are sending you this email because your Package is been registered on a
Special Order.
The VAT, Shipping charges and Insurance fees have been paid by the U.N
before your package was registered. Note that the payment made on the
Insurance, Premium & Clearance Certificates, are to certify that the Bank
Draft is not a Drug Affiliated Fund (DAF). This will help you Avoid any
form of query from the Monetary Authority of your country.
However, you will have to pay a sum of $150.00 USD to the FedEx Delivery
Department being full payment for the Security Keeping Fee of the parcel
Been registered by the U.N. FedEx Company as stated in our privacy Terms &
condition page.
You are advised to fill in the below form and submit it to us now.
FULL NAMES:
TELEPHONE:
POSTAL ADDRESS/CITY:
COUNTRY:
Contact Person: ANDREW FRED.
Email: fedexcompany@qq.com
Have a great day!
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Anti-fraud resources:
