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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:
- "security keeping 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. )
- "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)
- "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.
- 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.
- 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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: MR NELSON SMITH <"www."@oregano.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: MR NELSON SMITH <oinfo94@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:16:42 +0900 (JST)
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION!!!
PAYMENT NOTIFICATION!!!
From the office of delivery, your ATM card is ready now.and nothing is holding it again now.
This is to bring to your notice that,DHL Courier Company have your ATM CARD worth USD$6.2
million dollars so we decided to inform you Now.
The delivery charges has been paid but the security keeping fees was refused to be payed by
the sender"s, reasons for their refusal are unknown so you are advised to pay the security
keeping fees which is only $95 dollar Okay.
Now your ATM CARD has been deposited with DHL Courier Company,Your delivering address was given
but you have to reconfirm it to us again full detail"s for delivery to avoid unnecessary delay. so
I want you to contact DHL Courier Company with your Full Contact information so that we can
deliver your ATM CARD to your designated address,
Your Full Name:...
Home Address:.....
Country:..........
Phone Number:.....
street............
ID CARD........
Tel: +229~960-437-93
Try to contact US as soon as possible to avoid mistake on the delivery,to avoid any mistake in
the delivering including with your ID or Picture.
Hoping to hear from you as soon as you receive the package box contains your ATM CARD worth US$6.2
million US dollar Contact Today to avoid increase of keeping fees!!
How you Can Send to us the Security Keeping Fees Which Is Only $95 dollar. only I said.OK
You are to send $95 cost to procure the transfer permit to the following information;
WESTERN UNION PAYMENT INFORMATION:
Receive Name; CHUMA DEAN
Address: 1011 GBATO GODOMEY
City; Cotonou
Country; Benin Republic
Amount; $95
Question; Now now
Answer; yes yes
FROM MR NELSON SMITH.
Managing Director.
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Anti-fraud resources:
