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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 diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- bure.aurex@yahoo.it (Yahoo, Italy; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Nelson Edward" <vale.marco.19@alice.it>
Reply-To: bure.aurex@yahoo.it
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2014 11:24:56 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Re:Contact Diplomat Benard Walter for your package
I write to inform you that the diplomat delivering your package has arrived to
USA and he stop at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) with your
package. Send your address, phone numbers and nearest airport to him today and
assist him when he contact you for more direction for smooth delivery. His name
is Mr. Benard Walter, he arrived at Texas yesterday with your package and other
2 packages he has to deliver to other people at Texas. He'll proceed to
deliver
your package after he receive your delivering address and other information.
Contact him on the below information and you have to comply with him to enable
him have successful delivery. Remember, the only amount approved in your name
by united nation and ECOWAS is $2.5M USD in iron briefcase package.
Email thd_ow@yahoo.in
Call him on 5038952198
Mr. Nelson Edward
ECOWAS OFFICER
Ph: +22997308619
bure.aurex@yahoo.it
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Anti-fraud resources:
