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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:
- "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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Mark Oniel" <info@lee.com>
Reply-To: mrmarkoniel2019@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 03 Dec 2019 14:53:49 +0100
Subject: FROM DHL INTERNATIONAL BENIN
DHL INTERNATIONAL BENIN
LOT NO. 23 PATTE D'OIE
03 BP 2147
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
DATE: 03/12/2019
INSTRUCTIONS TO RELEASE YOUR FUND WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
This is to notify you that Ambassador Patricia Mahoney in collaboration
with Federal Ministry of Finance have contracted our company to release
your outstanding compensation payment of $5million which was suspended. A
parcel contained an ATM CARD worth $5million will be delivered to your
door step within the next 48hrs.
Meanwhile, Reconfirm Below information:
Your Full Name:
Your Delivery Address:
Your Age:
Your Occupation:
Your Phone Number:
We have delivered packages to different people across the global and to
prove this, you should track with below tracking numbers and see it your
self. (WWW.dhl.COM)
1.) WWW.dhl.COM =TRACKING NO: 509265861199
Without hesitations you are to pay for just 24 hours delivery fee of US$98
only with the below payment details to enable us issue your shipping
details for you to track and monitor your parcel.
Here is the payment information to send the 24 hours delivery fee through
western union or moneygram transfer.
Receivers Name: Mark oniel
Address: COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
Text Question: When?
Answer: Today.
AMOUNT:$98 only
MTCN:.............
Regards,
Mark Oniel
Parcel Delivery Officer
DHL COURIER COMPANY.
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Anti-fraud resources:
