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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:
- "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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- 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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a 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: "MR.FRANK JOHN" <frankjohn@everymail.net>
Reply-To: dhloffice02@everymail.net
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:41:44 +0000
Subject: A GOOD NEWS TO YOU NOW
Atten today
Thank you so much,how are you and with your family and also with your work.i let you understand
that our Office here the Federal Committee and with Master OF Finance ,and there Cabinet hold a
Meeting on December 21th 2015.after the meeting he said that all the package box in benin republic
will delivery to you as a Xmass Bonus.so the total amount of the Fund, he sign for you To receive
to the Federal High Court is $2.8Million USD.now the Fund will delivery to you through Delivery
Express.the only thing you will do, Immediately you contact the Federal Committee try to pay
mentance package fee which is $69 usd.but right now i let you understand that the Exmass Bonus
will Expire after two working days, which is December 23th the Bonus will Expire.so if you know
that you are ready to clam your package try to contact this
Email;;(dhloffice02@everymail.net) and send the Mentance fee of $69 usd to themwith this
information.but if you are not ready to receive it do not contact or bother yourself ok. do not
made mistake for sending the money,try to meet up because this notce is GOOD NEWS for you because
it is Bonus.
USE THIS INFORMATION SEND THE MONEY.
Receiver Name==Tony Ani
Country Benin Republic
Sender Name==
City==Cotonu
Answer=Exmas
Question==Bonus
Amount==$69 USD
Mtcn===
Send the money through western union or MoneyGram or Ria tansfer.
Thank you and remember bless.
MR .FRANK JOHN .
CONTACT PHONE +22998789714 try reach us through phone immedately you receive
this Email ==dhloffice02@everymail.net
with the MTCN NUMBER.
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