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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "account opening 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. )
- "account opening" (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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "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 free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- ubagroupplc2022@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Jonas Gnonlonfoun" <info@usa.net>
Reply-To: <officefiles01202323@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2023 14:28:52 -0700
Subject: Attention: Please, 8.42.207.81
Attention: Please,
This is to inform you that your compensation fund worth of US$3,500.000.00 (Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) has been deposited with the UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UBA) by the International Monitory Fund (IMF) in conjunction Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for them to set-up an online bank account in your name which you can use your hand access and transfer the fund to any existing Bank account of your choice without any delay.
So kindly contact UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UBA) with this information below and also forward your personal information including your bank details to enable them carry out the operation by creating the online account in your name and release the LOGIN & PASSWORD which will enable you to transfer the fund to any Bank account of your desire as soon as you obey and cooperate with the Bank requirements.
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UBA)
Address: 110. Patte D'Oie - 02 BP 567 Cotonou
Name: Mr. Fred Moore (UBA Bank Manager)
WhatsApp No: (+229) 5356 3964
Email Address: ( ubagroupplc2022@gmail.com )
NOTE: That the only fee you are required to pay is ACCOUNT OPENING FEE, which will cost you a sum of US$290.00 (Two Hundred And Ninety United States Dollars) and always remember to keep me posted once you contacted the bank for guidelines.
I’m waiting to hear from you soonest.
Best Regards,
Mr. Jonas Gnonlonfoun
IMF Director General.
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Anti-fraud resources:
