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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 states 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)
- "courier company" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. James Adam" <officeservices88@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. James Adam" <offcefile878@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2015 22:59:17 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Compliment of the the day!
Compliment of the the day!
This is to notify you that your Funds has finally been approved and uploaded into an ATM VISA CARD. So we reached an agreement with DHL Express Courier Company earlier hour of today for registration. Now contact Dr. Ahmed Yaki DHL Director because the shipping of you Card will take place immediately after the reconfirmation of your full information below as to enable them finalize everything and release your tracking number to you so you can be able to track your package online while on the way until its finally delivered to your given address. Note that disbursement of your Card valued the sum of $15.5million United States Dollars will only take complete 24 hours as we agreed for first class delivery, So do not hastate to contact Dr. Ahmed Yaki, the DHL Director upon the receipt of this notification with the information listed below to avoid mistakes or wrong delivery, because I will not be in the office until 20/09/2015.
Full name: ________
Direct phone number: ________
Current residential address: _________
Closest Airport: ________
Country of origin: ________
Id Copy: _______
Contact Dr. Ahmed Yaki for more information on how to receive your Card successfully,
Tel: (229) 68550386
Regards,
Mr. James Adam
Manager Zenith Bank PLC
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Anti-fraud resources:
