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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:
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- +229657737 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: UNITED BANK <"www.654."@castle.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: UNITED BANK <office205filles005@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2017 21:21:40 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Re: Dear Comtumer
Good Day Dear Customer There is presently a counter claims on your funds by one Mr. Chris Miller, who is presently trying to make us believe that you are dead and even explained that you entered into an agreement with him to help you in receiving your fund, So here comes the big question. Did you sign any Deed of Assignment in favor of (Mr. Chris Miller).
Please let us know vividly as a matter of urgency if actually this man has your permission to receive your fund or on the contrary never your representative, you are officially requested to fill and send the under listed details correctly as soon as possible for verification purpose.
1. YOUR FULL NAME............
2. YOUR TELEPHONE..........
3. FAX............
4. AGE...........
5. SEX.............
6. YOUR OCCUPATION...................
7. YOUR ADDRESS.......................
HOWEVER, WE SHALL PROCEED TO ISSUE ALL PAYMENT DETAILS TO THE SAID Mr. Chris Miller IF WE DO NOT HEAR FROM YOU WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE WORKING DAYS FROM TODAY, WE WILL PROCESS AND RELEASE THE FUND.
Confirm your receipt of this mail without delay.....
UBA GROUP BANK
COTONOU
+229657737
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Anti-fraud resources:
