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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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: First Caribbean Bank <edddensonn@gmail.com>
Reply-To: financbankbe09@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2023 03:42:52 -0700
Subject: Attention.Beneficiary,
Attention.Beneficiary,
This is to inform you that your inheritance fund with the First
Caribbean Bank was approved on your favor and your funds ($4.5M) has
being programmed into an ATM VISA CARD with this information as
stated;
(*) ATM VISA CARD NO: 4120 5350 0021 7812
(*) ATM VISA CARD SERIAL NO: 4120
(*) ATM VISA CARD BUXZ USD NO: 540031294
(*) ATM VISA CARD PIN: 7303 (keep it secret)
Be inform that all arrangement of card delivery has been concluded
with the accredited courier agency service (FEDEX) to effect immediate
shipment of your ATM VISA CARD to your nominated address as stated
above but you have to offset the courier agency fee of $100 only to
enable the courier agent deliver you ATM VISA CARD to your door step
within two (2) working days. Please note that you shall present an ID
CARD to the courier agent and sign before he will give the parcel (ATM
VISA CARD) to you to avoid delivering it to a wrong hand.
In view of this development, you are urgently advise to offset the
courier agency shipment fees with this information I stated below;
Receiver:Name;: Alain Tata
Country:: Republic of Benin
City:: Cotonou
Mtcn:..
Kindly note that on the confirmation of your payment of $100, the
courier agency (FEDEX) shall provide your parcel (ATM VISA CARD)
tracking numbers which shall enable you to track and receive your
parcel within two (2) working days. You are also advise to state your
best hours of visitation so that the FEDEX courier agent will know
when to met you at home and also provide your full information direct
phone/whatsapp number for effective communication which the courier
agent shall use to communicate you as soon as you parcel arrive your
state.
Go and send the $100 immediately at any WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
or any MONEY GRAM OFFICE around you.
Thanks
Mr.Florent Frejus Koudogbo
Directors -First Caribbean Bank
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Anti-fraud resources:
