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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:
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- usborderprotection.customs32@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Raul L. Ortiz" <info@usa.org>
Reply-To: usborderprotection.customs32@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 02 Aug 2022 14:45:27 -0700
Subject: WE INTERCEPTED THE DELIVERY OF YOUR ATM MASTER CARD!
Raul L. Ortiz
For U.S Border Protection
usborderprotection.customs32@gmail.com
Hello ,
YOUR ATM MASTER CARD HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY MY OFFICE DURING SECURITY CHECK.
I am Raul L. Ortiz Executive Assistant Commissioner for U.S Border
Protection, and I am in charge of Final verification of all Parcels
containing ATM CARDS and CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT registered to be
delivered here in United States or that will be subject to the
verification and approval of my office before it will be approved to
be delivered to Europe, Asia, Australia etc.
I have before me here a parcel registered to your name that was
supposed to be delivered to your destination and was with-held for
security reasons and your inability to attend to some required fees.
My investigation by trace to the source of the parcel showed a total
sum of 10.5 M USD as genuinely credited to the ATM MASTER CARD.
My office was also informed that a false declaration was made by the
delivery agent charged with the delivery responsibility to your
address. Some consignments are among the bulk of goods brought into
our warehouse seeking my approval for either for the immediate release
and delivery or be approved for confiscation.
I have chosen to inform you to confirm the ownership of the above ATM
CARD and at the same time will be glad for you to visit my office for
a better understanding. I am saying this because I want to assist you
by approving your ATM CARD to be released to you and be delivered to
your destination uninterrupted immediately you reply to me or visit my
office for us to have an agreement before I will approve and sign a
release order of the ATM MASTER CARD for immediate delivery to your
address.
In your response to this email send a current telephone number, your
full name and complete mailing address.
I want to communicate with you and work together with you.
Thank you.
Raul L. Ortiz
Chief, U.S Border Protection
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Anti-fraud resources:
