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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:
- "million us 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Umaru Kabiru" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <umarukabiruoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2017 20:24:31 -0700
Subject: I need your attention
Greetings,
This is to Inform you that an ATM Card Number: 4283 0830 7403 4242 worth $3.5Million US Dollars has been accredited by the Federal Government of Benin as Fund Compensation currently approved in your favour. This was in accordance with joined partnership of United Nations, FBI, IMF, UPS and Interpol to verify and confirm your past transactions with the officials and people, government of Benin Republic. The package has been released today for delivery by us. You are receiving this email message in order to fully compensate and release the fund with no problems or hindrance. We also found your name among the list of beneficiaries approved with this fund.
Kindly make your choice of delivery listed below
1. UPS delivery service
2. DHL delivery service
3. FedEx delivery service
4. Amarex delivery service
5. Air-space government delivery service
6. Post Office service
These are the Delivery Agencies registered under Benin government charged with the responsibility to deliver the ATM visa Card package to your door-step as soon as we receive your delivery information written below.
Full Names: /
Home Address: /
Mobile Telephone Number: /
Country:/
Occupation: /
Kindly Note that the delivery of your ATM visa Card is still on hold pending when you register the package for delivery. All necessary arrangement to deliver your package is already on ground and made possible. You are advice to reply as soon as you read this email to enable us start the delivery process today. We hope to hear from you soonest with regards to this subject matter.
Thanks
Mr. Umaru Kabiru
State Security Service
Benin Regional Centre
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Anti-fraud resources:
