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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:
- "activation 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. )
- "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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: OFFCE FILE <file.fcle@gmail.com>
Reply-To: OFFCE FILE <accsplcbk@qq.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 2015 04:16:33 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention Dear
Attention Dear
We have waited you soo long to contact us for your Compensation but you have not respond, Today we have told to Cancel it by
board directed which will be a great lost if you loose the fund.
I wish to let you know because The charges which was initially on the high price has been cut down by the payout bank considering the poor economic situations that make it difficult for the middle class citizens to meet up with the processing charges of their entitlement and now all you need to pay is $99.00 to ACTIVATE the file, then your money will be transfer.
Based on report we will not keep waiting because tomorrow is deadline which only opportunity you have.
Get back please against deadline as to enable us meet up your transfer OK and MOST Important is to include yours banking account details where you want us to transfer (US$1.920,000.00) then you can send the ACTIVATION fee $99.00 use below information to send Via Money Gram.
Hurry up so that your payment will not be Cancel.
Below is the information where to send the fee $99.00 Via Money Gram or Western Union;
1. Receiver Name: Augustine Ejorr
2. City. COTONOU
3. Country: BENIN REPUBLIC
4. Question: WHO IS ABLE?
5. Answer: GOD
6. Amount:US $99.00
7. Sender's Names:
8. Sender's Address:
9. Contact Address:
10. MTCN: (_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _)?
As soon as you can be able to pay the fee $99.00 today, your money will be transfer.
Also re-confirm your account Information please very important.
Just to let you know and If this cannot be done,
please don't border to contact because there is noway the fee can be deduct OK and there is no way I can help.
I am waiting for your payment call us now +229 98594169.
Yours Service
Mr. Jack William, Director
Access-Bank Payment Office Cotonou
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Anti-fraud resources:
