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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "mr.godwin" <mr.frankedwin23@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jovajosetorres20@aol.com
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2020 02:54:03 -0800
Subject: URGENT REPLY DEAR BENEFICIARY.
URGENT REPLY DEAR BENEFICIARY.
This is Mr.john orjil, The Director of DHL DELIVERY COURIER COMPANY
PLC in nigeria lagos.
It's my pleasure to inform you that our an assigned diplomatic agent
left our Country
yesterday with your ATM Package valued sum of $7.8m (Seven Million
eight hundred thousand
united states dollars only) His name is mr.godwin obi and he have been
trying to reach
you on your Email about couple of hours now, just to inform you about
his successful
arrival in International Airport with your ATM VISA CARD valued sum
of $7.8M (Seven
Million eight hundred thousand united states dollars). Which he was
instructed by Our D.H.L
COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY to be delivered it to your home address. He
is under custom
custody over there now.
Now, you need to email him and make sure you fill this information one
more time to enable
him delivery your ATM Card to right living home address. Contact him
as soon as you receive
this email.
Contact him on this phone number and do fill this information to him.
Contact person ..... mr.godwin obi
Contact phone ... +1-512-714-4249
Fill below gaps correct and completely and forward it back.
(1)YOUR FULL NAME=============
(2)MOBILE PHONE NUMBER======
(3)CURRENT HOME ADDRESS= =======
(4)FAX NUMBER= ===============
(5)COUNTRY= ===================
(6)CITY= =====================
(7)NEAREST AIRPORT = =============
(8)A COPY OF YOUR I D FOR IDENTIFICATION.
Send the requested information above so that he can proceed. Your
airport authorities are
there asking him many harassment questions. I need your immediate text
or call to him and
please make sure fill this information correctly so that he will be on
his way to your
house address once he get done with them.
Regards
Mr.john orjil,
Director of DHL Courier Company
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