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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "davidmarkag@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. David Mark" <office@newharbourvillage3ca.org>
Reply-To: davidmarkagent12@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2017 10:07:29 -0400
Subject: !!! INSTRUCTIONS TO DELIVER YOUR PACKAGE !!!
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Attention: Valuable Customer,
We wish to inform you that the Diplomatic Agent conveying the package
valued the sum of $8.5Million United State Dollars misplaced your
Current address on transit and he is currently stranded at (North
Carolina International Airport) with your package which contained ATM
MASTER CARD. you are required to contact him and re-confirm the
following information below to enable him deliver the Package that
contained your compensation fund today.
Full Name: ============
Current Address: ==============
Mobile No.:===================
Name of Your Nearest Airport:==============
A Copy of Your Passport/Drivers License,(If possible):========
Please do contact the diplomatic agent with the email below or call him
on phone.
Contact Person: Mr. David Mark
E-mail:(davidmarkag@outlook.com)
NOTE: That the agent did not know the content of the package for
security seasons and as soon as the agent arrives in United States, you
will be required to obtain the clearance certificate of the package
before the custom at the airport will allow the diplomat to deliver the
package to your nominated address without any delay in case if he
arrives and they ask you to obtain the certificate you will not be
surprised.
Best Regards,
Mrs. Michelle King,
Director D.H.L Company.
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Anti-fraud resources:
