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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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Bill O. ATU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <re.boa@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 5 May 2016 04:02:23 +0100
Subject: Our Ref.: Revaluation of Abandoned Fund
Attn.: Valued Customer.
Am very sorry for all the delays I have caused you in trying to transfer your funds to your bank account. This delay was as result of fire rage in my office and part of your file was affected making it impossible for me to source your names and address and banking details, I was able to locate some part of my diary where I have personal information and I noticed I wrote your email address in it even though the fire affected my diary but I managed to locate your email address.
Call me immediately so that we can commence the process your fund release. The Bank have now decided to pay you with the interest of the funds so the total amount you are are going to receive now is US$2.5M [ TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS]
Sincerely Yours
Mr. BILL O. ATU.
Direct United Bank For Africa UBA Cotonou, Benin.
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Anti-fraud resources:
