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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +229939 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Rose Obinna" <file99211482@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernunoinoffi1@qatar.io
Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2011 19:59:43 -0400
Subject: Congratulation My Dear
Congratulation My Dear,
This is to inform you that the management and control of all finances of the
Government as prescribed by the constitution of the country is the
responsibility of the federal Ministry of Finance to handle all foreign
arias/debts.The Board of Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic are here
to notify you of your payment inherited funds of (US$1.200.000) USD After the
meeting held on 01th of July2011 His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF BENIN Has instructed this Department to send your funds to you
through western union money transfer for easier receive of your inherited
funds without any further delay.
So you addhere strictly to contact western union right now with this address
Dr John William Tel +229-939_259_83(westernunoinoffi1@qatar.io) to start
picking up your money today you.The maximum amount you will receiving per a
day is ($4,500.00) as soon as they confirmed your infromation as listed below,
Receiver's Name:_____
receiver's Address:_____
your Country:______
Tell Number:____
Text question and answer
ONCE AGAIN: Your fund has been approved from the federal ministry of finance
benin republic today so do contact western union department immediately to
start picking up your fund,Thanks in anticipation of your co-operation,
Regards
Mrs Rose Obinna
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Anti-fraud resources:
