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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:
- "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. )
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: AMBASSADOR JAMES KNIGHT <missmireille33@gmail.com>
Reply-To: AMBASSADOR JAMES KNIGHT <jamesknight241@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2015 05:34:12 +0900 (JST)
Subject: FEDEX SERVICES DELIVERING COMPANY
FEDEX SERVICES DELIVERING COMPANY
BP 1409 AKPAKPA DODOME
BENIN REPUBLIC WEST AFRICA.
ATT; DEAR
WE RECIEVE YOUR MESSAGE IN DUE RESPECT REGARDING TO YOUR MASTER ATM CARD UNDER OUR FEDEX COMPANY CUSTODY.
BASE ON THIS COMMUNICATION WE THE ENTIRES BODIES OF THIS FEDEX COMPANY MANAGEMENT ADVICE YOU TO COMPLY WITH US BY SENDING OUR OFFICE KEEPING CHARGE FEE OF $55 TO ENABLE US COMMENCE AND DELIVERD YOUR MASTER ATM CARD TO YOUR HOME ADDRESS IN YOUR COUNTRY.
YOU ARE ADVISE TO USE THE BELOW INFORMATION TO SEND DOWN OUR OFFICE KEEPING CHARGE FEE OF $55 QUICKLY.
Receiver Name : Joseph Ejike
City- Cotonou
Country Benin republic
Question A
Answer B
Sender Name and Mtcn
AFTER THE PAYMENT IS DONE FORWARD TO THIS OFFICE THE SCAN PAYMENT SLIP VIA EMAIL BOX TO ENABLE US CONFIRM YOUR PAYMENT AND PROCEED FURTHER TO RELEASE YOUR MASTER ATM CARD TO YOU WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THANKS.
BEST REGARDS.
Mr.Don Wood
FedEx, Express Customer Service Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
