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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- +229997101 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.MARK BEN" <www.imfofficebenin@barid.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2013 17:44:03 +0900 (KST)
Subject: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Africa Regional Office Benin
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Africa Regional Office Benin
Thank you for your urgent respond, We have been waiting to hear from you
because your $2.8million USD INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT has been
deposited With us here to deliver it to your home address. Please before
we proceed with the delivering of your bank draft you are required to
e-mail us with the following information:
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP CODE:
DIRECT CONTACT
YOUR DIRECT PHONE NUMBER
OCCUPATION:
As soon as we receive the following information from you, We will
facilitate the release and dispatch of your international certified bank
draft to your home address. Thank you and god bless you as I look forward
to your email.www.imfofficebenin@barid.com
CONGRATULATIONS
YOURS IN SERVICE
Mr.MARK BEN
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE BENIN
TELEPHONE +229-997 101
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Anti-fraud resources:
