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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)
- "account opening" (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. )
- "account opening form" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- "benin.financialbank@ymail.com" (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: "Mr. Edu Nwetego" <hondrjenniferlawrence@aol.fr>
Reply-To: benin.financialbank@ymail.com
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:17:50 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONTACT HIM URGENTLY FOR YOUR ONLINE BANKING PAYMENT.
FROM THE DESK OF Mrs. EDWARD WILLIAMS,
SENIOR ADVOCATE, BENIN REPUBLIC.
ADDRESS: 207 AVENUE GOVERNMENT AREA BENIN REPUBLIC.
CALL NUMBER: +229-989-557-95
CONTACT HIM URGENTLY FOR YOUR ONLINE BANKING PAYMENT.
Attention Dear,
It gladdens my heart to get you acquainted with the current payment policy that has just been adopted and you have been shortlisted for payment via Online Banking system. So kindly contact the Financial Bank PLC Benin Republic urgently, where the funds approved by the Government of Benin Republic to transfer online into your account is based. You must strictly adhere to there online payment instructions to ensure successful and satisfactory completion of the transaction.
Below is the contact information of Financial Bank Benin Republic :
Contact Person: Dr. Goodluck Egodimkpa
E-mail: [benin.financialbank@ymail.com]
Phone: +229 979-649-10
Endeavour to email him with the following informations for immediate processing:
FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
FAX NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS/AGE:
Account Name:
Account Number:
Account Type:
Bank Name:
City:
State:
Country:
Zip / Postal Code:
COPY OF ID OR PASSPORT ATTACHMENT:
These are the requirements that you need to be aware of before you contact him below.
1) You will fill the online account opening form Financial Bank Plc Benin Republic .
Send him an email in regards to your $10.5million USD fund that has been approved by the Federal Government of Benin republic to transfer on your behalf through there online banking service.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Edu Nwetego.
Authorization Minister,
Federal Republic Of Benin.
YOUR ONLINE BANKING PAYMENT.
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Anti-fraud resources:
