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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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: "DIAMOND BANK DU BENIN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <officemailbox.bank@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:01:45 +0700
Subject: Atm Card Beneficiary
FROM THE DESK OF MR BENEDICT KEONG
DIRECTOR ATM SWIFT CARD/FOREIGN CREDIT UNIT,
DIAMOND BANK DU BENIN.
ADDRESS:DIAMOND BANK BUILDING ANKPA ROAD BENIN.
Good Day,
RE:FURTHER TO YOUR APPROVED FUND OF: TWO POINT FIVE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS ONLY
======================================================================
We are contacting you in furtherance of your overdue payment of $2.5m scheduled to pay to you through certified ATM Card which you will be only required to proceed to any ATM Cash Point daily for your cashment.Your email address is in the list of those that will receive their fund payment via our Bank as directed by the Apex Bank.
This development was as result of new FUND policy revolution of 2010 carry out by the World Financial Body in collaboration with (CBB) Audit unit and United Nations Policy maker unit under CENTRAL- BANK New Year FUND constitution.
This effort is to help the international monetary fund restrict and monitor every international transaction to avoid money laundering activities and will help us to fight against fraudulent activities from scam experts. Furthermore you are advice to reconfirm your address include your full name and direct contact telephone number to Diamond Bank for the issuance certified ATM Credit Card, needed information are as follows:
1. Your full name:.................
2. Your contact address:..............
3. Your private telephone and fax number:...........
4. Your Age:................
{NB} note that you can only withdraw daily on the amount we will agree till your fund is completed. Kindly get back to the Bank immediately with the necessary information required from you and further information will be communicated to you.
MR BENEDICT KEONG
Direct Line:+229-98156995
Atm Card Credit Unit
Diamond Bank
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Anti-fraud resources:
