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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:
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
- unitedbankbenin202@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Gloria Mmadu" <jj@oglethorpeproperties.com>
Reply-To: <unitedbankbenin202@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2016 22:11:48 +0100
Subject: YOUR $5.8M FUND TRANSFER, CONTACT U.B.A BANK.
You are required to contact the Foreign Remittance Department
of the United Bank For Africa (U.B.A) today for the immediate
transfer of your $5.8M. This development is as a result of
the recent order for the U.N Compensation body and the IMF for
the release of foreign funds and assets.The above sum of money has
been approved by theFederal Ministry of Finance for immediate
transfer to you as the rightful beneficiary.
It was mandated by the Ministry ofFinance that your fund $5.8 million
be transfered to you from the U.B.A into any bank account of your
choice in guidiance with international monetary regulations.
Please contact the United Bank for Africa (U.B.A) Foreign
Remittance office today for identification and claim of the
above mentioned fund. You are to contact the Director of the
department; Mr. John Kerekou Jr. and follow the instructions
of the department for the immediate transfer of your fund.
Contact Person: Mr. John Kerekou Jr.
personal email: unitedbankbenin202@yahoo.com
Phone: +229 98802627
Contact Mr. Kerekou immediately with the above information
and reconfirm the below details for proper identification
by the bank.
Your Full Names---------------
Address--------------------------
City--------------------------------
Phone Number------------------
Yours in Service
Mrs. Gloria Mmadu
Debt Management Board;
Federal Ministry of Finance.
Benin
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Anti-fraud resources:
