419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "million 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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- inspectionunit101@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: ALEX WHITE <finleygonzalo@gmail.com>
Reply-To: inspectionunit101@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2015 16:23:35 +0100
Subject: Telephone: (802-483-3948) Only Text Message for security reason or
email: inspectionunit101@gmail.com

Mr. Alex White Assistance Inspection Manager Chicago O Hare
International Airport USA.
Telephone: (802-483-3948) Only Text Message for security reason or
email: inspectionunit101@gmail.com
because i do not want those criminals we are trying to apprehend to have
any Idea about your $21. million dollars consignment delivery.

Hello,

I am Mr. Alex White the Assistant Director Inspection Unit / United Nations
Inspection Agency O Hare International Airport in Chicago USA.

During my recent routine check at the Airport Storage / vault on withheld
packages, I discovered an abandoned shipment from a Diplomat from London
and Africa, Revealed When it scanned an undisclosed sum of money in two
Metal Trunk Boxes weighing approximately 35 kg each.

The consignment was abandoned Because the Contents was not properly
Declared by the consignee as "MONEY" rather it was Declared as staff effect
to avoid interrogation And Also the Inability of the diplomat to pay for
the Non Inspection Charges Which Is About $ 350 USD Before bringing in
consignment into the U.S. and we refused to return the consignment back
where it came from since, We have already received it.

On my assumption, each of the boxes will Contain more than $ 5 Million to $
10.5 Million each and the consignment is still left in our Storage House
here at the Chicago O Hare International Airport USA till date. The details
of the consignment Including your name, your email address and the official
document from the United Nations office in Geneva are tagged on the Metal
Trunk boxes in your favor.

However, to enable me confirm if you are the actual recipient of this
consignment, I will advise you to Provide your current Phone Number and
Full Address to enable me cross check if it corresponds With The address on
the official documents Including the Name of the nearest Airport around
your city.

PLEASE NOTE THAT this consignment is supposed to Have Been returned to the
United States Treasury Department as unclaimed delivery due to the delays
in the Concluding the clearance processes.

The unpaid sum of $ 350 revenue income is the Government charges Which Can
not be weaved or ignore and we do not Have Any legal authority to deduct
any money from your consignment out before delivery to you. The U.S.
Government is expecting you to pay the above charge as you receive this
mail.

So in order words, I will advise you to send the required details to me for
quick processing and response. Once I receive your information Including
the receipt of the payment of $ 350 for the Non Inspection Charges, I can
get everything Concluded Within 3-6 hours upon your acceptance and proceed
to your address for delivery.

Please your direct telephone number is required so that we can reach you
for more information, I wait to hear from you urgently if you are still
alive.

If truly you are still alive kindly proceed and make the payment for the
NON INSPECTION CHARGES and i will make your delivery.

Furthermore,for the progress of this transaction,i demand the
following information of yours for commencement.

(1)Your full names for record purposes, (2)Your direct mailing address
where you wish your consignment to be delivered, (3)Your direct mobile
telephone number for faster communication, (4)A scanned copy of your
drivers license for identification, (5)Your full house address for the
delivery to be proper.

Below is the receivers information:

RECEIVER: FRANK MLEJNEK
ADDRESS: Stanislaus Dr.
Redding Ca. 96001
REASON: NON INSPECTION
MTCN: NUMBER..........
Amount: $350.USD
SENDER'S NAME:
SENDER'S ADDRESS Where the package will be delivered to.
Please send it Via: Money Gram Transfer or Western Union Money
Transfer for easy pickup?

Mr. Alex White
Assistance Inspection Manager
Chicago O Hare International Airport USA.
Telephone: (802-483-3948) Only Text Message for security reason or email
because i do not want those criminals we are trying to apprehend to have
any Idea about your $21. million dollars consignment delivery.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam