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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Office file" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rem.dept.card@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2017 02:52:16 -0700
Subject: For your information
HEAD OFFICE
Union Bank of Benin
STALLION PLAZA
36, Marina Cotonou.
Sequel to the directive from the Federal Ministry of Finance to pay your withheld sum of one million eight hundred thousand united state dollars. An ATM Card Number worth USD$1,800,000 has been approved for release by the Union bank of Benin. You are to provide us with this information’s for verification and release of your ATM CARD for delivery.
1.Full Name:
2.Phone number:
3.Delivery Address (not postal address):
The courier cost for the shipment of your ATM CARD is two hundred and eighty five dollar ONLY. No more fees will be charged complete courier company mode of service .Please help us to serve you better.As soon as we recieved the above information and verified it you will be communicate on how you send the courier fee /the courier information you are to use.
Thanks and God bless you and your family .
Best Regards,
Mr Pascal Anthony
Customer service department
Union Bank of Benin
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Anti-fraud resources:
