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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.
- 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. )
- "registration fee" (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. )
- "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.
- 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.
- 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.
- dhlco3worldwidedeliverycompany@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Keneth Ikem.." <j.jhjxjihchjjhvcuhjbcbjnjxn@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "Mr Keneth Ikem.." <dhlco3worldwidedeliverycompany@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 17:12:37 +0000 (UTC)
Subject:
GREETS ....
 How are you today?
I wish to inform you that i received the email you sent and i want you to know that your ATM Card will be deliver to your given address within 3working days.
we have shifted the delivery to DHL Courier Company in Benin this morning. So all i want you to do now is to contact DHL contact now with registration number (00707) and ask them the delivery process OK.
Note: You have to reconfirm your delivery address to them to avoid wrong delivery. Due to your Financial situation, i help you pay the registration fee for security reasons and the fee you will send to them to deliver your ATM MASTER CARD is $35Â for delivery and you can send it to them through western union or money gram with this details below:
Receiver Name: Ken Iken
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Test Question: To Who
Test Answer: Mr Chinadu
Amount: $35
confirm the payment details to them today once you send it so that the DHL COMPANY Agent will proceed and deliver your ATM CARD value sum of $750,000.00usd to your home address.
Below is there contact information
E/Mail:..dhlco3worldwidedeliverycompany@yahoo.com
Phone:+229 615-617-93
Directors Name:Almed MetaÂ
Regards,
Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the United NationsAnd please do call Mr Keneth Ikem for more info on +229-61-56-17-93Thank you..
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Anti-fraud resources:
