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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:
- "mtcn" (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. )
- 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: OFFICE FILLE <fbi_office01@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: officefillecompany@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:25:16 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: SPECIAL EASTER BONUS OFFERING YOU
ATTENTION BENEFICIARY.
This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all the payment/Fund/Package that are sent in our custody, which yours are inclusive,Besides your where given some high Bills in order to receive your payment/Fund from our custody win Benin which they didn’t hear from you for sometime now..
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Hence, we are now offering a SPECIAL EASTER BONUS to help all our customers that are having their Fund/Package in our custody due to of high prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of $65 to receive all their Package abandoned in Benin Republic custody which has been ready to Deliver/Transfer.
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Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply and your Package shall be Deliver to your designated address.But remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will cancel the Transfer/Delivery for this Months until next 4 Months.So be advise to send the $65 immediately so that we will register your Fund After the payment of $65 you will received your Funnd information Bellow.
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Receiver's Name== Augustine Nwekwu
Country:Benin Republic
City:Cotonu
Amount only= $65
MTCN NUMBER......
Senders Name:.......
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The moment i receive the payment of $65 we will release your Fund/Package for its delivery by tomorrow and we are assuring to you that it will get to you without any problem.
THANKS FOR OUR PATRONAGE,
YOURS SINCERELLY
MR. EMMA OSHA.
CELL +22998331250
FORIGN OPERATION MANAGER
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