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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (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. )
- "million dollars" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- charlesbadou34@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Lonah Wilfred" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <charlesbadou34@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2016 02:42:05 +0100
Subject: PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR YOUR BANK DRAFT
PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR YOUR BANK DRAFT
My Dear Friend,
Good day to you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I am your old friend Mrs.Lonah Wilfred who contacted you late January 2009 over a business project of gold dust and funds deposited in a security company left by my late parent's which you turn down do to many internet scams and you never take me serious by them.
I am using this opportunity to inform you that the multi-million-dollar business transaction have been concluded and by the grace of God so if you are still alive, then here is your own benefit as I want to bless you for the year so that you will no that my first intention to contact you was to help me and to also benefit you and me. I also proude to tell you that I am rich
now.
And for my promise to God, didn't get my past contact to you which fail us, but I am using this to help you finance your own business pending when I shall meet with you face to and to give God the glory as I will be in your country between March / April 2016.
I am happy to tell you that I left a certified International bank cheque for you worth of $1.2million dollars only cashable any where in the world. I knew you may have forget me but God show me mercy to remember you. So contact the below person to receive the cheque from him and forward me your details address to enable me locate you so let me know once you get the cheque.
Contact: Barrister Charles Badou
Cotonou Benin Republic
Email address: charlesbadou34@gmail.com
Tel: +229-99-36-77-95
Therefore you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the cheque.
Hoping to hear from you.
Regards
Mrs.Lonah Wilfred
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Anti-fraud resources:
