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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:
- "bensoncole2@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Citi Bank Of Nigeria" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bensoncole2@w.cn>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:39:33 -0700
Subject: Attention: Sir/Madam
Citibank Groups Nigeria
Address:27 Kofo Abayomi Street
Victoria Island,Lagos-Nigeria
Tel +2347081557248
Swift:CITNG28X82
Attention: Sir/Madam.
This is to Inform you that ATM Card Number:(4278763100030014) worth USD$2.5milion has been accredited to your favor,you are to contact Mr.Benson Cole on (bensoncole2@w.cn) with the following information below.
1,Your full Name
2.Your Phone and fax number
3.Your Delivery address where you want the card to be sent to.
4.Your Age, Sex and Occupation.
5.Your Next of Kin
Regards
Mr James Hay
Customer Unit
Citibank Groups Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
