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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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Fbi Bureau investigation <bureauinvestigationfbi@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: fbibureauinvestigation12@yahoo.in
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:07:13 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: FBI SIGNED OF YOUR FUNDS ON 11-10-2011
Good Day. We are here to let you know that we are watching you since last year until this 2011 we understood that you don want listen to our advise and you have to know that we are also working to make sure that your FUNDS which suppose to be delivered to you and also bear it in mind that what ever you emailing us will be forward to the Benin High court today. Â Also we are hereby to notified by the federal bureau of investigation Cotonou department of the insult you imposed on them by failing to comply by their requirements since last year till now. Â
Your full residential address has been forwarded to us for your immediate arrest today to face your charge but I deemed it fit to give you one more chance to save yourself from this mess but as for now I don’t understand your point.  We have been told that you have failed to dance by the rule of the FBI which will warrant 3 years jail sentence. Now I Mr. Nze Johnson the special agent in charge of the FBI Cotonou department I am giving you 24 working hours to effect the payment of the $39.00 usd. To the FBI in Republic of Benin (fbi security) with the information written below: Receiver: ARONU HYACINTH. Country: Benin Republic City: Cotonou Test Q: When Answer: Today Amount: $39.dollars MTCN Number.........  You have to try as much as you can and make this payment today so that your FUNDS will be delivered immediately to your destination address tomorrow morning.  You have to stop every transaction you are communicating with other organization now
to avoid delay on the processing of your FUNDS. Â Note that? if you fail to stick with my advise today or any delay will lead us coming directly to your home address at any time today ,so try and dance by the rule and get back to me with good understanding ASAP. Â Special Agent in Charge; Mr. Nze Johnson Direct line +229 98481380
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