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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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Customer Service <okwutenwagboma@gmail.com>
Reply-To: vivinadouglas@vivaldi.net
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2021 11:15:01 +0100
Subject: GOOD MORNING /YOUR PACKAGE
GOOD MORNING IAM VERY VERY SORRY I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT
DIPLOMATIC AGNET HAVE BIG PROBLEM WITH CUSTOM AND SAY NO PACKAGE
LEAVES THIS AIRPORT WITH OUT CUSTOMS CERTIFICATE OF BILL RECORDING,
WE NEED YOUR URGENT ATTENTION BEFORE THIS WORKING DAY FOR YOUR PACKAGE
TO LEAVE HERE TO YOUR LOCATION, YOU WILL PAY CUSTOMS CERTIFICATE OF
BILL RECORDING $69 PAYMENT CENTER WITH THE PAYMENT OF $69.00 USD TO
DHL OFFICE SO THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR PACKAGE .
I WANT YOU TO TRY AND SEND THE MONEY TODAY SO THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE
YOUR PACKAGE AS SOON AS YOU SEND THE MONEY TO THIS OFFICE AND NOT WANT
YOU TO LOOSE YOUR PACKAGE .
AND YOU % FREE TO CONTCAT THE THIS E-MAIL ==vivinadouglas@vivaldi.net
Anyone you selected, effect the payment to the below information
immediately via western union and send your full name and address for
the immediate delivery.
Receiver name======IBETO JOHN
Country============Benin Republic
City===============Cotonou
Test Question=======GOD IS
Answer============GOOD
M T C N===========
SENDER,s NAME=====
Amount===========
These are the fee required for the delivery of your ATM CARD from the
agent around the Bank premises. You have to inform me the one you
will like to receive your ATM card through it, so that we can proceed
on how to delivery your ATM card to you. You are to choose from the
listed options your best and suitable means of claiming this fund via
ATM delivery to you through a courier delivery service.
Regards,
MR DONWILL ROBERT
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Anti-fraud resources:
