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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dumorrage" (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. )
- "activation fee" (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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- 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.
- willian_benson@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "William benson" <mifneh@maaganm.co.il>
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2016 03:19:02 +0100
Subject: ATM OFFICE ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL
ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL
Zenith Heights Plot 87 Ajose
Adeogun Street,Cotonou Benin Republic.Africa
Attn: Payment Notification,
This is to bring to your notice that, I have paid the re-activation fee and the
delivery of your ATM MASTER CARD. I paid it because the ATM Card Code is {8092}
worth of $5.7Million Dollars, has less than 97 days to expire and when it expires
the money will go into Government purse.
With that I decided to help you pay the money so that the ATM Card will not expire
because I know that when you get your ATM Card definitely you must pay me back my
money and even compensate me for helping you.
Now i want you to contact UPS DELIVERY SERVICE with your Full Contact
information's so that they can deliver your Card to your designated address
without any delay.
Your Full Name............
Your Correct Telephone.....
Home Address..............
Country...................
City.....................
Fax Number..............
Occupation................
A Copy of your ID.........
Like i stated earlier The delivery charges has been paid but i did not pay their
official keeping fees since they refused.
They refused and the reason is that they do not know when you are going to contact
them and dumorrage might have increase. They told me that their keeping fees is
only sum of $70.00 per day and i deposited it yesterday been Monday morning /27th
of june 2016} against tomorrow delivery. Call the director Hon.Dr william benson as
soon as you receive this mail.or text
Below is their Contact Information's,
Contact Person:Hon. Dr. william benson,
UPS DELIVERY SERVICE
Telephone: +22999236447
Contact willian_benson@yahoo.com
Contact them Today to avoid increase of their keeping fees and let me know once
you receive your Card.
Regards.
Dr.Smith Daye
ATM OFFICE ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL
Federal Republic of Benin republic
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Anti-fraud resources:
