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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. )
- "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.
- zenithdirectbank.com@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala" <drngoziokonjoiweala86@gmail.com>
Reply-To: zenithdirectbank.com@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2015 21:09:29 +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 Lottery funds sum of $8.8 million United State's
dollars is now deposited with Zenith Bank Plc located in 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.
The Management of this organization will like to apologize on behalf on
the Federal Government of Benin Republic and Lottery Organization union
for the long delay of the transfer 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 with your details
request such as (1) Your Full name (2)Your Home address (3) Phone numbers
(4) Your Occupation (5) Your full Bank Informations, 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:(zenithdirectbank.com@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 immediately.
FINANCE MINISTER
Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
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Anti-fraud resources:
