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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:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: Humphrey Pule <ssemanoah21@gmail.com>
Reply-To: humphreypule7@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2023 10:57:54 +0300
Subject: Hello
Attention
This is Humphrey Pule the delivery agent mandated by United Nations
(UN) to deliver your package fund to you. I am at the airport with
your $2.5 Million united state dollars fund package ready to
be cleared and delivered to you as directed. At this point I wish to
know your readiness to receive your fund as you will be required to
reconfirm your receiving address once more so that I will make sure
that I give them your correct address to avoid any mistake about the
delivery they told me that you will be required to pay for the
Security Keeping Fee of the parcel for a little rate amount of money
which will only cost you ($120.00 dollar.)
Please reconfirm to me your delivery details and nearest airport;
Full name
Address
Phone
Nearest airport
I will be waiting for your response
United Nation Diplomatic Agent.
Humphrey Pule
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Anti-fraud resources:
