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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:
- "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)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ibrahim Tokpota" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <central-bofbenin@mail.ee>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2016 05:34:02 -0700
Subject: Registration Reference No:FDXB/xxx/100
Attention: Beneficiary Kindly pardon me if you are seing this message for the second time. We have now officialy changed our website and email contact to serve you better. Thank you for your Understanding.
My name is Ibrahim Tokpota from Benin Central Bank of Benin Office. The United Nations has deposited your Over-due payment of $500,000.00 USD, with this bank (Central Bank of Benin), This is regarding the draws the Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon organized on his visit to Africa last Month to help individuals /Scam victims and charity organization. Your name/email was listed among those who are to benefit from these compensation exercise to make the world a better place for all.
The Central Bank of Benin will be waiting to hear from you, This payment of $500,000.00 USD has been programmed into an VISA ATM CARD signed and approved in your Name with Registration Reference No:FDXB/xxx/100. kindly get back to this office with your details as listed below.
1.Residential Address
2.Full Names:
3.Phone Number:
4.A scanned copy of your ID or passport.
MR. Ibrahim Tokpota.
DIRECTOR INVESTIGATION/OPERATIONS UNIT
CENTRAL BANK OF BENIN.
PHONE: +229 6535132
WEBSITE: http://www.ecbs.org.ee/
Please contact me now if you are unable to access our website so i can process the package with the Security Company for delivery to also send you the tracking number of the package at once
I wait to hear from you and ensure you contact the bank once you read this message
Ibrahim Tokpota
DIRECTOR INVESTIGATION/OPERATIONS UNIT
CENTRAL BANK OF BENIN
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Anti-fraud resources:
