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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:
- "required 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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "impex.courier@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: Phillip Jones <phillipjones12012@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2016 08:22:05 +0000
Subject: Your $4.5 Million Has Been Credited! -- Ref #:UBA1836000ATM
Hello Dear,
I am writing to inform you that your total fund in the amount of $4.5 Million has been credited into an ATM card and will be delivered to your address through Impex Courier Service.
This was done because of the international laws that was passed to monitor the flow of large amount of monies during wire transfers and the hefty fees that are charged, not to mention the time it takes to process. Your fund has already been long over due and we can not let this new development delay your payment any further.
I want you to know that your ATM card has already been registered with Impex Courier Service for delivery to your address and you are required to pay the sum of $250.00 for the delivery and Insurance coverage of the package.
You are therefore, required to contact the director at Impex Courier Service with the information below;
Name: Mr. Peter David
Email: impex.courier@yandex.com
Telephone: +229 61742153
Contact him now using this code as subject (Ref#:UBA1836000ATM) and provide him the following information for the delivery of the ATM card to your address without any further delay;
Your Full Names:
Your Contact Address:
City & Zip code:
Your Telephone Numbers(Home and Cell):
You will receive the tracking information for the shipment from Impex as soon as you send the required fee to them. Also note that you will be receiving the ATM card along with your PIN and Instruction.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Phillip Jones
United Bank For Africa
Cotonou, Benin-Republic
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Anti-fraud resources:
