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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- agent.alfrediego@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: " Mr. Michael J. Edward" <mongrm96@gmail.com>
Reply-To: joeedward2@aol.com
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2014 16:03:25 +0100
Subject: Your Cargo has arrived
I have final ship your Cargo to your house address last week Friday but i
didn't give the courier agent the balance of $70. that remain to clear your
package at the airport upon arrival and the courier service agent has
arrived your country today with the shipment.
Total Weight of the Boxes 0kg
The Dial Lock Key No.for box A1The Dial Lock Key No. for box A2 4900
Note that it is films and films materials that were declared before the
customs for security reasons of your funds while the true actual contents
were your money, and it was sent using Diplomatic immunity of Alfred I. Ego
Email
(agent.alfrediego@aol.com) Please, keep the entire contents of the boxes
very secret and confidential and let the true contents, which is raw cash
dollars in use, only known by you and myself.
And under normal circumstance you should not let anyone know the true
content of your cargo till it finally delivered to your address and
deposited to your bank account accordingly.And do not hesitate to contact
me once the courier Diplomatic arrive your destination.
Thanks,
Mr. Michael J. Edward
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Anti-fraud resources:
