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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "afrinterbbj_benin@outlook.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: Mrs Victoria Brown <mrsvictoriabr@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsvictoria.brown@live.com
Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2013 11:58:10 +0100
Subject: FROM:UNITED NATION COMPENSATION UNIT.
Dear Friend,
We wish to inform you that your overdue payment has be scheduled to
pay to you through certified ATM card which you will be only required
to proceed to any ATM cash point to withdraw $20,000 per day till your
complete payment fund of us$3.5 million (USD$3,500,000.00) are
completed.
This development was as result of new payment policy revolution of
2010 carry out by the world financial body in collaboration with world
bank audit unit and united nations policy maker unit under world bank
new year payment constitution.
This effort is to help the international monetary fund restrict and
monitor every international transaction to avoid money laundering
activities and will help us to fight against fraudulent activities
from scam experts.
Furthermore you are advice to reconfirm you billing address include
your full name and direct contact telephone number to the African
international bank plc. Cotonou Benin republic for the issuance
certified ATM credit card.
Contact Them With the Below Information
Name: Dr.Jean Millogo
Tel: +229 98 94 39 59.
Email: (afrinterbbj_benin@outlook.com)
My best regards
Mrs.Victoria Brown
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Anti-fraud resources:
