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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. )
- "clearance document" (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. )
- "fbi washington" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real FBI will not tell you to contact some email address. If you are in any doubt, contact an FBI field office via www.fbi.gov. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
- 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.
- +22966567551 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev.Desmond Lord" <mr.hillj@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: c.yo8790@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 23:33:04 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTION FROM FBI WASHINGTON
Following the instruction from fbi washington and national security agency, we have been instructed by the governing council to process the clearance documents from the high court by the
E.f.c.c.however be officially informed that the correct amount for the clearance document is $69.00dollars, that is the correct and only amount you are required to send for the release of the required document and it is only what is needed of you for
Certification and authentication of your fund by the fbi government
Therefore as instructed you are required to use the below stated information and send the fee through western union money transfer as soon as you receive this message, so that i can get the document send to you today which you are to forward to the fbi to facilitate the release of your fund already placed on hold.
Find Western Union Or Money Gram to send the $69..00
Receiver Name: Chukwuemeka Marcel
Country Benin Republic
City cotonou
test question: When
Answer: Now
Amount: $69.00
Zip code: +229
On the confirmation of the above required fee, the required document will be release to you which after you will forward to the fbi washington d.c for the release of the funds in your name. Note that the total amount is us$18million is what is available with the bank of america in your name waiting to be release to you on the confirmation of the required document and instruction from fbi.
And note that your telephone number is needed as soon as you reply again so that we can start contacting you on your phone until everything is been cleared.
Urgent response is required
God bless you!!!!
Yours sincerely,
Rev.Desmond Lord
Head of antiFraud Unit E.f.c.c
call me at +229-6656-7551
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Anti-fraud resources:
