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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:
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (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. )
- "mrrubenmoussa@shqiptar.eu" (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 Buben Moussa" <mrrubenmoussa1@shqiptar.eu>
Reply-To: mrrubenmoussa@shqiptar.eu
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 21:59:45 +0800
Subject: Re:Attn:This Is A Good News From Presidency Office.
Attn:
Your name has been found in the Central Computer among the list of
unpaid foreign recipients.There by the government has allocated an
initial expense payment of $1 Million USD to 36 recipients and you are
among those recipients to receive the expense payment of $1 Million USD
scheduled to paid between today the 26th of JUNE and 4pm Today the
31ST OF JUNE Your expense payment of $1 Million USD has been allocated
to be paid to you either through any of the below means Wire Transfer
Cheque Drop Transfer Master Card/Visa Card Failure to indicate a
receipt of this email within 72hrs will be perceived as non acceptance
of the offer and will result in your name been omitted from the list
and your payments issued to another recipient.
Meanwhile the sum of $58 is been mandatory from you for the processing
of the payment. Kindly select the option and get back us now with the
$58 payment information now.
BELOW AND FORWARD THE PAYMENT INFORMATION YOU WILL USE TO SEND THE $58 NOW.
Receiver Name======ALEX ANA
Country======Benin Du Republic
City======Cotonou
Question======When
Answer======Now
AMOUNT====$58.00USD
Mr Buben Moussa
Restoration Officer
E-mail==mrrubenmoussa@shqiptar.eu
+229-659-66-266
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Anti-fraud resources:
