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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: henry hills <"www."@gamma.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: henry hills <henryhills429@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2018 19:04:05 +0900 (JST)
Subject: attention
I am here to inform you that i am new a appointed Director in UBA Bank of Republic of Benin. And this is my first time in this office when i entered i was searching some files unfortunately i saw your name on the files with your email. So i asked the adviser to formal Director why you did not receive your ATM card since over 3 years ago he said that the formal Director was a scammer that is why he was sacked from this office.
So now my dear good beneficiary i want to let you know that your ATM card should be leaving this office today and it will be deliver in within 24 hours in your home address. But only fee you need to pay to receive this your ATM card is only $95 dollars for the delivery charge. We have already help you with the delivery back up papers so now no more delaying after this fee OK. I know that you have sent money to the formal director inother to receive your your ATM card and after return you will received nothing?
My dear friend i will advice you to try as much as you can to send this $95 dollars today let us proceed with your ATM card delivery OK, My guarantee is that no more delay again after you send this delivery fee of $95 dollars. I am in this office today to help peoples.
This is where to direct the delivery fees.
RECEIVER NAME: EMMA UKA
CITY: COTONOU
COUNTRY: BENIN REPUBLIC
AMOUNT::::::$95.00
TEXT QUESTION: HOW LONG
TEXT ANSWER: 24 HOURS
BEST REGARD
NEW DIRECTOR FOR UBA BANK.
Please call me once you receive this email: +229-69644586 This is last time you will receive my email if you did not send this fees.
Mr. FRANCIS DANIEL
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Anti-fraud resources:
