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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:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "courier service" (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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- mrmike.ubah@mail.ru (Mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Mike Ubah <www.@ark.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Mr Mike Ubah <dhl_58deliver@outlook.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2016 17:19:25 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Your ATM card
Your ATM card worth of ($3.700'000'00) has been today deposited with Dhl Company to ship it to your home address.Now contact Dhl manager Mr Mike Ubah at (mrmike.ubah@mail.ru) & Send to them your home address where to ship the ATM Card to you such as,Therefore is either you come down here to our bank and pick up your card from the direct office or alternatively it can be arranged ship to your address registered through any reliable courier service company will take care of the charges expect the security keeping fee which is also known as Safe keeping fee,and i hope that it is clear and well accepted by you?
The most important requirement that we need from you is your full current information well noted and understood.
Your name___
Your country__
Your address___
Your Occupation____
You’re Age/sex___
your phone number___
Note, All charges regards this delivery has been paid except the safe keeping fees which you will send to them before they can dispatch the parcel to your destination. them now at +22999205029
Thanks.
Mr Mike Ubah
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