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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "moneygram" (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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Jeff Walter" <"WWW."@lion.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. Jeff Walter" <mrjeffwalter01@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2017 05:26:00 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention: My Dear
Attention: My Dear
My Dearest Mr. Jeff Walter
You are email was received in this office and your details is well understood i have gone to several COURIER SERVICES with world wide delivery known at its best.We are pleased to be at your services. DHL EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES is Regulated and Stipulated by the Delivery Service Authority (DSA), the delivery institutions that REGULATES all delivery activities in Benin Republic.This office has been Notified by your partner/friend who deposited your check in our custody,We are being instructed to deliver this check to you through our Diplomatic, Tag Immunity. Registration charges has been paid by the depositor except the delivery fee of $90 which you will pay to us before we will release your check from our security custody for delivery.Below are the details you have to send to us to clear the package and get it delivered as soon as possible,SEND THE FEE THROUGH MONEYGRAM OR WESTERN UNION TO THE INFO BELOW AND DO MAKE IT FAST TO AVOID THE CHECK GOING UNDER DUMURRAGE
Receiver name:JAMES CHIKE
country:Benin Republic
city:cotonuo
Amount:$90
Best Regards
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Anti-fraud resources:
