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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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Inspection Expert" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <contactcbnabuja01@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 11:07:52 +0100
Subject: Re: Top Secret.
Dear Beneficiary,
My Name is Mr. Adebayo A. Adelabu I was assigned by United Nation and FBI in conjunction with the world-bank Plc as to make sure i delivered your consignment box fund sum $3.1 M to you as soon as you get back to me with your delivery details.( Full Name) (Your direct telephone number) (A COPY of your ID)
I am please to inform you that i have arrived United State with your consignment and currently at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport United States.
Here is my number: +1-612-642-1782 ,Waiting for your immediate cooperation.
Thanks
,Mr. Adebayo A. Adelabu
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Anti-fraud resources:
