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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:
- "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)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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: Dhl Courier Company Limited <officefile192001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Dhl Courier Company Limited <diplomaticagent45@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2015 10:00:10 +0900 (JST)
Subject: CONTACT MR. FRANK WALTER FOR YOUR $3.7 Million U.S.A Dollars.
Attention;
I am Diplomat TONY MARK from D.H.L Courier Company, I have been waiting for you in NORTH CAROLINA, CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, USA for three days with your package which contains $3.7 Million U.S.A Dollars, but my time has elapsed. Please be informed that your consignment box is in custody of the diplomat council in NORTH CAROLINA Contact the diplomat council with below information.
Contact person: Mr. Frank Walter
Phone number +1 252 249 5224
Kindly reconfirm the below information so that your consignment box will
be delivered immediately to you.
Your Full Name
Your Direct contact Telephone Number
Sex
Age
Address
City
Country
Occupation
He will be waiting to hear from you.
My Regards,
Diplomat Tony Mark.
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Anti-fraud resources:
