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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.
- 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.
- agentmarkobi@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Agent Mark <gian.piero.vignali@alice.it>
Reply-To: agentmarkobi@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:53:43 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Call phone:941) 249-3407
We wish to inform you that the UN Agent conveying the consignment box valued
the
sum of ($8.1M US) misplaced your info on transmit and he is currently stranded
right now at Orlando International Airport with your consignment.
We required you reconfirm the following info, so he can complete the trip
contained your payment fund today.Please do make contact with the agent with
the email below with the info required. Contact Person:Mr.Mark Obi
E-mail (agentmarkobi@gmail.com):call phone:941) 249-3407
He is waiting to hear from you today with the information. NOTE: The agent
does
not know that the box is $8.1Million USD and on circumstances should you let
him know about what it contains the consignments was moved from here as
afamily treasures,
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Anti-fraud resources:
