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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:
- "insurance 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. )
- "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: Global Freight Courier <file28338@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <jerryike288@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2023 20:54:04 -0700
Subject: Re: $1.5 Million usd ATM Card
Attention
I am agent Jerry Ike , i have been mandated to deliver your ATM Card package registered
with us for delivery to you through Global Freight Courier, the ATM Card is worth $1.5 Million usd
will be deliver to you within 24 hours.
The ATM Card was deposited by the United Nations Compensation Scheme
Uganda and the package have been schedule to be deliver to you today
and once you pay the insurance fee of $105.00usd i will deliver the
package ATM Card to you within 24 hours to you nominated address.
Please forward the below information;
Full Name
Address
Nearest Airport
Phone
I will be waiting for your immediate response to proceed with the delivery to you today.
Regards
Jerry Ike.
Diplomatic Agent.
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Anti-fraud resources:
