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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- viviansmithabc@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Beno=EEt_Lavoie?= <ben@sportradical.com>
Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 14:04:44 -0400
Subject: GOOD NEWS
I was mandated to deliver the ATM MASTER CARD to your Address. and I am currently at the office. all the necessary arrangement of delivering the $5.5 Million was made. This is the Information needed to deliver your ATM CARD to you also send the contact information immediately.
Contact Person: Vivian Smith (Director General)
Telephone:+229-68161619
TNT Global Express Courier Company Cotonou Benin Republic
E-mail: viviansmithabc@gmail.com
Your full name /
Your home address/
Your phone number/
Yourcell number/
Your Country/
I wish to notify you that your ATM CARD has be cleared from bank office here were i was before. I am waiting for your urgent response.
Sincerely
Dr. Ben Lavoie
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Anti-fraud resources:
