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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.
- 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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- 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.
- dr_suruogba@yahoo.co.nz (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Stella Okafor" <office---fille8@att.net>
Reply-To: dr_suruogba@yahoo.co.nz
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 06:55:36 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGFENT RESPONSE
Attn: Beneficiary
This is to officially inform you that the sum of US$5.6million (Five Million
Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only) has accrued as interest on your
total sum entitlement that was deposited with our bank by the Republic of Benin
Government, before the principal sum was withdrawn by the order of the
presidency.
You are therefore advised to contact our Branch Manager Dr. Suru Ogba
immediately on this direct line Tel: :+229-98-62-04-68
Email:(dr_suruogba@yahoo.co.nz)
for further directives on remittance advice. Equally, note that you may be
required to provide forward your current banking co-ordinates including the
first and second page of your international passport or drivers license for
identification.
We would appreciate your urgent response concerning the aforementioned
interest fund, to enable this bank effect remittance within the scheduled (24)
hrs.
Waiting to anticipate your reply.
Yours truly,
Mrs. Stella Okafor.
Custermer Service,
External Remittance Division
African Development Bank Group
Cotonou Benin Republic.
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Anti-fraud resources:
