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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "secretarysanjay@admin.in.th" (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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: <Hon.VincentOkaru2@HonMrVincent.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <secretarysanjay@admin.in.th>
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 17:26:59 +0530
Subject: Hon.Mr. Vincent Okaru
Address 0258 Fijorose
Avontro Avenue Cotonou
Benin Republic.
Attention Dear Fund Owner.
We the Federal Government Benin Republic has declared this morning that your fund which you was struggling to receive through many department here in Benin Republic such as Banks/Western Union/Money Gram and some delivery companies will not transfer through Benin Republic anymore due to scam attempt going around the Africa continent.
We have issued a confirmable bank draft valued $2.5millionUsd with your name and it has been forwarded to Reserve Bank Of India which is the Asia`s biggest and respective bank,the Reserve Bank Of India is india`s central bank which deals with international transfer and they have confirmed to us that they has received your Bank Draft valued $2.5millionUsd,meanwhile you are advise to contact the secretary of Reserve Bank Of India which his information is here below.
Secretary Name...Mr.Muniya Sanjay
Email( secretarysanjay@admin.in.th
Be inform that you don`t have any fund in Africa as whole,so do not respond to any mail or letter that come from Benin Republic/Nigeria/Ghana Burkinafaso regards to any fund transfer because we have assigned that those africa banks/western union/money grams including delivery companies are not capable to carry on the transfer or deliver of your fund,meanwhile you are advise to contact the Reserve Bank Of India and concentrate with them to enable you receive your fund.
The title of your fund is compensation for your past effort in Africa,We wish you goodluck and do try to email us back after you contact the Reserve Bank Of India ok.
Regards
Hon.Mr. Vincent Okaru
The Chairman Of
Federal Government
House Benin Republic.
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