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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. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "barristabucoleman@barid.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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- +22998178794 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: Barrister Eze Desmond <udokuo@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Barrister Eze Desmond <barristabucoleman@barid.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2015 01:06:18 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Hello; Good morning
Hello; Good morning
How are you doing today together with your children I hope all is well. I will love to explain my self to you very clear my name is Barrister Eze Desmond from Benin Republic. I have 5 Children 3 Boys 2 Girl. Look am writing this message to you because am a Christen Man I can not allow you to remind in poor.
1.) My country Benin Republic is 100% scam in this message but I can not follow them kill peoples because they are killer my family I did not allow that. 2.) Am the one who will stamp your papers before you receive your $2.7Millions USD. Today. Look if any one told you to pay fee after fee no. you must contact me first before send them any funds, because they will keep ask for more after fee, 3.) I can not lie to you anymore the stamp fee of your papers is $200.00 usd dollars only but because we are the same. I will allow
you to send $100.00 when you receive your funds tomorrow you will send me the rest amount. To proof you that you will receive this funds, all I need from you now is your account and telephone numbers or your account. When to complete the transfer or delivery after I stamp the papers and forward it to head office to release what belong to you immediately. Therefore remember that you need to send this urgent because I need to travel to Canada to sign some papers before Friday, Here is the information you will use to send it via western union or Money Gram today.
Receiver name: Jim Udo
Country Benin Republic
City Cotonou
Test question: Believe
Answer: Me
Amount: $100.00 usd dollars Only
Zip code: +229
Thank You and God Bless you
Barrister Eze Desmond
barristabucoleman@barid.com
Call Me +229 98 17 87 94
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Anti-fraud resources:
