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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- unitedparcel@bk.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Gloria Wilson Sr" <jjjkk27@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mrs.Gloria Wilson Sr" <unitedparcel@bk.ru>
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:18:42 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: ATM VISA CARD PAYMENT
 UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATIONS FUND VISA CARD ATM
This office of United Nation Benin Republic UNGA, It was alarmed so much by the rest of the world in the last meeting held at Porto-Novo Capital of Benin Republic Zone meeting on the 27/01/2015 for the loose of unpaid compensations fund awarded you in past which you have not yet receive.
Last week the Board of Directors UNGA has ordered United Bank Of Africa (UBA) to program your total inheritance compaction Fund $4.7 million into a cooperation VISA CARD.
This morning the manager of United Bank Of Africa has informed us that your total inheritance compaction Fund $4.7 million has been programmed into cooperation ATM VISA CARD and deposited in UPS Office to send to you, you are advice to contact UPS Office now to avoid wrong delivery, contact UPS Office with your complete information’s as stated Below.
Your full receivers name;…………..
Your address:…..
Your country:…
Your age:…
Your direct telephone number:…
Your occupation: …
A copy of your driving license or international passport.
This required is very important to avoid wrong delivery, below is contact of UPS Office you will contact now without further delay.
Contact person: Dr. Chris Williams
Email: unitedparcel@bk.ru
Tell:Â +229-68670737.
Contact the office now with your complete information to allow them proceed delivery to your locations address, let me know as soon as possible you receive your Visa Card for proper verifications.
Your faithfully.
Mrs. Gloria Wilson
Coordinator UN
Cotonou Benin Republic.
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Anti-fraud resources:
