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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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- drjeffnicolas@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Frank Jerry <hajaratijjani080@gmail.com>
Reply-To: drjeffnicolas@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2023 23:15:00 +0100
Subject: Urgent Attention
Urgent Attention
Hello! this is Frank Jerry from Dhl Courier Company Benin Republic' we
are writing to keep you posted about the successful arrival of our
international diplomatic agent (JEFF NICOLAS) at Fort Worth Int'l
airport Dallas Texas USA with your consignment box which contained
your long awaited funds, valued sum of ($800,000 USD) which serves as
a compensation from Eco-was High Court of Justice in conjunction with
the United Nations
Kindly call or text the agent on his direct telephone number below for
more directions on how to commence on the next proceeding to your
nearest airport today and make sure you reconfirm your current
delivery information as requested below for the smooth delivery of
your package
Agent name....Jeff Nice Marrison
Email address: drjeffnicolas@gmail.com
Fill in the below details as requested
(1) Beneficiary Name.......
(2) City..................
(3) Address...............
(4) Telephone ............
Thanks for adhering to this instruction
Reply accordingly for more directives
Yours in service
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Anti-fraud resources:
