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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:
- "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. )
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Henry C. Azuka ----Diplomatic Envoy"" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <diplomathenryazuka@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2015 13:32:31 +0800
Subject: Re: You've Never Received A Good One. Hope This Helps.
This notification is aimed at informing you that your long awaited funds of US$7.5Million will be delivered to you.
Due to the unnecessary delay and hiccups that were encountered in the past in respect of your funds delivery, we have perfected everything by requesting for the documentations that will enable me complete the delivery of the funds without further delay.
Consequently, we have applied for an Ambassadorial Courier Yellow Tag Certificate and other relevant paperwork so as to ensure that Customs at the Airport do not stop the consignment.
Without these documentations, Customs will definitely interfere in the delivery of the funds but upon the acquisition of the documentations, the delivery of the funds will be completed without any hitches or interference from Customs and Border Protection or other relevant agencies.
The cost of this Ambassadorial Courier Yellow Tag Certificate is $69 and its your responsibility as the beneficiary of the funds to pay the fee.
Your Funds will be irrevocably delivered to you upon the payment of the fee.
Your funds will therefore be delivered to you as soon as the $69 is paid and the fee must be paid by Money Gram in the name stated below:
RECEIVERS NAME: DAVID UFOMA
ADDRESS: 20 AROWOJOBE STREET, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
TEXT QUESTION: GLOBAL
ANSWER: RECESSION
The following information should be sent for confirmation of payment after the payment is made.
1) Sender's Name and Full Address Address
2) Payout Amount As Stated In The Payment Receipt
3) Reference Number
4) The name of the closest Airport to your city of residence
5) Direct Telephone Numbers that you can be reached
Your quick response will facilitate the speedy delivery of the inheritance.
Diplomatic Envoy
Henry C. Azuka
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Anti-fraud resources:
