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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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: DHL COURIER SERVICE <smartg447@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dhlcourierservice27@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2017 01:37:09 -0700
Subject: GOOD NEWS.
*
H L=*
We have finally succeeded in getting your package worth of $19 million out
of the delivery of your consignment box with the help of Dr David Don
Attorney General of Federal High Court of Justice Benin which act as your
foreign Attorney representative here in Benin Republic.
So every necessary arrangement has been made successfully with the Agent
Mr.Alex Dennis of your package and every Documents guiding your delivery is
well updated so you are advice to re-confirm your full delivery
information to us right now to enable us proceed with the delivery of your
FUNDS. the Information you are Required to Reconfirm to us is as Follow.
(1)Your Full Name;
(2)Email address;
(3)Current Home Address;
(4)Fax Number;
(5)Country;
(6)Nearest Airport#
So get back to us as soon as possible with your delivery details to enable
us proceed with the delivery.
Regards
DHL Service.
Rodney Plummer.
www.dhl.com
(c) 2017 DHL Service
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Anti-fraud resources:
