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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:
- "drug clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Kevin Mcaleenan <test@kemenpppa.go.id>
Reply-To: commissionerkevinmcaleenan@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2017 00:43:10 +0700 (WIB)
Subject: From U.S. Customs and Border Protection
From U.S. Customs and Border Protection / Securing America's Borders Federal Government Office Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Terminal D.
You are welcome to desk of Mr. Kevin k. Mcaleenan United States Customs commissioner. This office is hereby to inform you about your pending delivery here in United States. Which supposed to be delivered to you by Courier Delivery agent from Africa But due to that the Consignment box and ATM master card was lacking up this very important Certificate of Anti-Drug Clearance certificate which delaying you from receive your consignment box and the ATM card since.
Meanwhile, U.S customs has agreed to release and allow your delivery agent to proceed with your delivery once you complies with our policy to clear and release him to complete your delivery. Most Important We require Your Full Name..... Home address... and Phone number... to verify with the information He presented to ensure that the Consignment box and ATM card belong to you before we proceed.
Signed/ Approved
Commissioner Kevin k. Mcaleenan
A G Commissioner of U.S. Customs
And Border Protection
Call or Text (469) 423-5036
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Anti-fraud resources:
