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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:
- "required 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. )
- "lagos" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Idika Benson" <officefile09098@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dr.idikabenson101@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2015 03:23:35 -0800
Subject: Immediate bank clearance for the release of your fund
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I am writing this mail to let you know that i contact Mr.Goro this noon
about the required fee which is $400 after i beg him to help you out since
you did not have the total fund at hand write now after discussing with him
he agree that you should pay $75 and after you receive the $3.5.M then you
will pay the balance within 2 days you confirm the total fund into your
bank account.Besides my dear, this is the opportunity for you to comply and
have your funds credit into your account without any further delay.
Note that after ($75.00 there is no other fee to pay before you receive
your $3,5.M into your bank account. We will enter A new project that is
the reason why we decided to help all our customers with their outstanding
payments before we enter into the new project. so am advice you to try all
you can and made the payment today or tomorrow
THIS IS THE INFORMATION THAT YOU WILL USE TO SEND THE REQUIRED FEE WHICH IS
$75.00
RECEIVE NAME: OKECHUKWU JOHN
LOCATION: LAGOS / NIGERIA
TEXT QUESTION ;WHEN
ANSWER: SOON
AMOUNT: $75.00
I am waiting to hear from you as soon as you receive this mail
Thanks and Respectfully yours
Dr.Benson Idika
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Anti-fraud resources:
