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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:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "dhl-customer-service@universitarios.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Linda Ruth" <test1@alumni.iitm.ac.in>
Reply-To: dhl-customer-service@universitarios.com
Date: Mon, 18 May 2015 12:52:23 +0100
Subject: Please could you kindly email mr. Frank.payment.
--
due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness You showed
during the course of the transaction. I have registered your compensate
ATM VISA CARD with DHL Courier Company this morning as we agreed and the
delivery will take off tomorrow morning based on my agreement with DHL
Director Mr. Frank Larry if you confirm your address and phone number to
them and also, the only fee you will send to them is for their security
fees which $35.00USD per day.
MOST IMPORTANT, reconfirm your current delivery address and phone number
to them. I will not be reached till June 20th, 2016. Your amount in the
Card is US$2000.830.00 Million and the PIN code of your ATM CARD is: in
the parcel do not dispose the information to them only that is your
family treasure.
This is their Contact Address;
Attn: Larry Anthony (Diplomat)
E-mail:( dhl-customer-service@universitarios.com )
Mrs.Linda Ruth
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Anti-fraud resources:
