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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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.
- 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.
- cbbplc22@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Akim Benoit" <wwwcth.offic23@outlook.com>
Reply-To: cbbplc22@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 3 May 2016 11:45:31 +0200
Subject: LISTEN VERY ATTENTIVELY
--
LISTEN VERY ATTENTIVELY,
We the Federal High Court Of Benin Republic are here this morning to announce to you that we
have transferred your fund valued $8.700,000.00 usd into CENTRAL BANK OF BENIN REPUBLIC for
your online transfer.
Your payment approval was scheduled via online banking transfer process,so you have to contact
central Bank Benin for your online information's,the total money you have to receive is the sum
of $8.700,000.00 usd in your favor which you will receive within 2days of your contact with the
Central Bank Benin Republic.
Here is the information's needed from you such as below.
Your Full Name
Your Telephone Number
Your Sex
Your Age
Your Address
Your City
Your Country
Your Occupation
Contact the central online banking with the following information's:
CENTRAL BANK LTD
Payment Director::Mr.Albert Brown
Telephone: +229-62411639
Email:( cbbplc22@hotmail.com
Thanks and be bless in Jesus name.
Regard by
Mr Akim Benoit
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