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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:
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "@diplomats.com" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- james.w@diplomats.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: James Williams <officelinelucky@yahoo.com.tw>
Reply-To: James Williams <james.w@diplomats.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 17:22:41 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: FROM: US AMBASSADOR TO BENIN cotonou benin
FROM: US AMBASSADOR TO BENIN cotonou benin
Â
I shall be coming to your country for an official meeting on Monday and I will be bringing your funds of $10.5 million united state dollars along with me as part of compensation from the president of Benin for those affected in scams activities in Benin but this time I will not go through customs because as an ambassador to Benin I am a us government agent and I have the veto power to go through customs. As soon as I am through with the meeting I shall then proceed to your address. (Send your cell phone number and the address where you want me to bring the package).
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You have really paid so much in this delivery that makes me wonder. You are a very lucky person because I shall be bringing it myself and there is nothing anyone can do about it.
Â
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As soon as you send your home address make sure you send me your phone number To this email address: (james.w@diplomats.com)
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My flight is Monday next week and I expect you to comply before then so that the delivery can be completed. If you do not comply, then it will not be my fault if you do not receive your package.
Â
Â
James williams
since August 7, 2009
Nominator Barack Obama
as President of the United States
Inaugural holder R. Borden Reams
as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Formation October 14, 1960
Website U.S. Embassy - Cotonou
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Anti-fraud resources:
