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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:
- "insurance 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. )
- "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)
- "dhlteambenin@dgoh.org" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Compensation Payment" <drjcwilliam@live.fr>
Reply-To: atmcardbenin@live.fr
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:04:50 +0300
Subject: Very Urgent To Avoid Wrong Delivery
United Nations Compensation and Fraud Complaint Unit
Bp Rue 477 Cotonou Benin Republic
Attention please!!!
We have registered your parcel(ATM CARD) of US $6.7M with DHL Express Courier Company
with registration code of ( Dhl008) For your Compensation.please Contact with your
delivery information:
HERE IS THE CANTACT INFORMATIOM OF DHL Office:
Name of Dir: Dr Dennis Howard
E-mail: dhlteambenin@dgoh.org
Websit: www.dhl.com
Tel:+229-9668 0029
I have paid for the Delivery and insurance fee the only fee you have to pay is their
Security fee only.Please indicate the registration Code for them and call and ask them
how much is their Security fee so that you can pay it for DHL to proceed with the
delivery to you.
Below is the information you are expected to re-confirm and forward to DHL.
1. Full Name: ____________________________
2. Address: ______________________________
3. Nationality: ____________Sex___________
4. Age: ____________Date of Birth: ________
5. Occupation: ___________________________
6. Phone:_____________________
7. Copy of Your Identity: ________________
Best Regards.
Mrs. Michelle Abraham
United Nations Compensation and Fraud Complaint Unit
Africa Office
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DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this e-mail is the property of CTP Ltd and/or its associate companies and is confidential and intended for the addressee only.
If you are not the addressee and receive this e-mail by mistake, please notify the sender and delete this email immediately as any disclosure, copying,
distribution or use thereof may give rise to a claim against you.
The sender and/or the CTP Group accept no liability for any damages caused by this email by interception, interference, error, virus or other cause.
Views and opinions expressed in this email are those of the sender unless clearly stated to be those of a company in the CTP Group.
The Company reserves the right to lawfully monitor e-mails.
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