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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- 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.
- red_expressbenin@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barrister Martin Hounkanrin" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 14:23:30 -0700
Subject: Compensation to you!!!
God bless you and your family.
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of my new partner from Monaco-France.Presently I'm in Monaco-France investing with my new partner. I will be investing my money in projects with my own share of the total sum.Before I left for Monaco -France, I told my partner to send a cheque of 350,000,00(usd) cashiers cheque to RED EXPRESS DELIVERY SERVICES pending when you will contact them and give them instructions of delivery.
Contact me once you have collected the cheque.You can contact them via their email ; red_expressbenin@yahoo.fr Meanwhile,I can't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how but because you helped me,I can't fail to compensate you.Now contact the courier agency ;
The Dispatch Manager
Red Express Delivery Service
Red Express Service Cotonou Benin
Tell.+229 98 58 28 23
Email : red_expressbenin@yahoo.fr
Forward your contact address where you want your package sent to you.I kept this compensation for your tireless efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter.I appreciated your efforts at that time very much because without you,this goal wouldn't have been achieved.
So feel free and get in touched with the courier agency to send you your check.
Best Regards and Kind Wishes
Barrister Martin Hounkanrin
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Anti-fraud resources:
