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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- 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.
- drjohnsonemeka@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: =?UTF-8?B?IkRyLiBKb2huc29uIEVtZWthIg==?= <yemalin@speedy.com.ar>
Date:
Subject:
UNION BANK OF BENIN PLC
Head office Plot 121 Cool District Lagos BENIN(The efficient and Courteous Bank)
Our Ref: UBN/PMT/VOL-01/2013
APP=
ROVED
Your Ref ... Date... 12/08/2015
From the Desk of: Dr. Johns=
on Emeka
PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
FROM Dr. Johnson Em=
eka .
Having reviewed all the obstacles and problems surrounding the=
transfer of your (USD$4,500,000..00) and your inability to meet up
w=
ith some charges levied against you due to the past transfer
options,We =
the Board of Directors, Union Bank of BENIN (UBN) has
ordered our Foreig=
n Payment Remittance Unit to issue you a CORPORATE
VISA CARD where your =
payment will be uploaded and today, we got a
notice that your Payment ha=
s been uploaded into this CORPORATE VISA
CARD and also
have registere=
d it with Diplomatic Express Delivery Courier Company
for delivery to yo=
u.
For your information be advice to re-confirm to them your current=
delivery address to ensure accurate Delivery and request for your
tr=
acking number.
Therefore Forward the below information to them with =
your passport for
identification upon the delivery.
(1. Full Name=
s, 2. Delivery Address and 3. Telephone Number).
Name:Mr Raymond Alb=
erto
Email: ( drjohnsonemeka@yahoo.fr)
Please hurry n=
ow and inform me once you receive your package.
Thanks,
Dr. Johns=
on Emeka
Call +229 6887 7517
For the Management of UBN.
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Anti-fraud resources:
