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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:
- "cost of transfer" (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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- zenithbankplbenin@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala" <jofernett@gmail.com>
Reply-To: zenithbankplbenin@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2015 04:15:05 +0800
Subject: REALIST SUCCESS ON THE RELEASE OF YOUR USD$8.8m
FINANCE MINISTER ORGANIZATION
HEADQUARTER COTONOU BENIN ZONE 23/24.
=====================================
I'm Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala finance Minster this mail is to inform you that
finally your Inheritance funds $8.8 million United State's is now
deposited with Zenith Bank Plc Benin republic for onward transfer into
your local Bank account,since this will be the safe and best way to handle
this transaction for security reason.
Now we have sett up new development with the Zenith Bank Plc where your
fund deposited with your name and i will advise you contact the Bank with
your receiving Bank details for further transfer into your account without
further delay.
The Management of this organization will like to apologize on behalf on
the Federal Government of Benin Republic for the long delay of the
transfer of your funds into your account. On receipt of your mail or
phone call to the Paying Bank,your funds will be transferred into your
account Under [4working days.]
Note that the Zenith Bank Plc are the people handling your transfer
therefore all you need is to communicate with them today so that by
Tomorrow morning your transfer will commence, I know how much time and
stress its cost me to get the arrangement done accurately without any
error in regards to that effort you need to follow my advise and
imbibe my directive above as well as contacting the Zenith bank without
delay.
I hereby confirm the details you will use to Contact the Zenith Bank as
follows.
Kindly Contact ZENITH BANK Plc
Managing Director:Mr. George Meze
Telephone: +228 6899-3758
Email:(zenithbankplbenin@gmail.com)
(Ref:RBOCIGMKL/00Y/2015)
I has secure installed Ownership certificate And World Bank Instruction
Letter the only fee you have to pay is international commission cost of
transfer known as (I.C.C.T) ($89).
Finally they would like to hear from you as soon as possible with your
Bank information, so that they can complete this process immediately.
FINANCE MINISTER
Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
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Anti-fraud resources:
