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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:
- "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. )
- "western union" (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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- bankofafriica659@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- republic no 124 gboje califo porto novo email:(bankofafriica659@gmail.com) email:(bf98449029@hotmail.com) phono:+22998449029 ref-; (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Charles Uzodinma" <"www."@sweet.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Dr.Charles Uzodinma" <bankofafriica659@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2017 18:11:53 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Ref-; Funds Transfer Amount$8.5million dollars
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA
U.B.A BENIN REPUBLIC NO 124
GBOJE CALIFO PORTO NOVO
EMAIL:(bankofafriica659@gmail.com)
EMAIL:(bf98449029@hotmail.com)
PHONO:+22998449029
Ref-; Funds Transfer
Amount$8.5million dollars
Attention:Beneficary ,
We have receive your mail send the to us now so i want you try and send the $79 today so that you will receive your ATM CARD Your initial PIN for immediate use in-regards to your draft that was deposited with our Bank which we expected to hear from you where to send your ATM MASTER CARD. However, you are advised to forward your contact information as below is the fully information concerned your ATM MASTER CARD.Moreover, you are adviseD to send us the re-activation fee which is $79 dollars to enable us re-activate and validate your ATM Account.
My name is Charles Uzodinma I am the manager of ATM department in UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA Benin republic,am here to inform you that a man came to our office this morning his name is Mrs. Anita Berlie She told us that he is your Sister from your country he said that you are dead
Mrs. Anita Berlie said that you die two months ago in a car accident on your way going to work and before your death you told him that you have an ATM CARD worth of $8.5 million dollars and he came here with $79 dollars the activation fee of the ATM card to activate the ATM card and collect it
If real you are dead may your soul rest in perfect peace AMEN, but if you are alive please due call me on this phone number (+22998449029) and get back to me with the $79 dollars activation fee today okay.
If I did not hear from you today with the activation fee then I will collect the $79 dollars activation fee from Mrs. Anita Berlie and hand the ATM card over to him okay.
Below is the information to send the $79 dollars activation fee via western union or moneygram transfer.
Receiver Name ….. MIKE NZE
Country ….. Benin Republic
Amount ….. $79 usd
MTCN …..
Sender Name …..
Sender Country …..
Do have a wonderful day if you are alive but if you are dead may your soul rest in peace (AMEN)
Yours Faithfully
Dr.Charles Uzodinma.
Director Swift ATM Credit Card/ Telex Dept
U.B.A Bank Benin Republic.
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