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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "does not know the contents of the box" (a common phrase found 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.
Fraud email example:
From: LADJI BELLO <pepsioffer01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ladjibello@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2021 02:09:19 -0800
Subject: URGENT !!!
--
Dear Friend,
My name is Ladji Bello, personal assistant to Karlos Peckers International
delegate to The United Nation committee on Corona Virus Pandemic Prevention
In West Africa.I need you to act as the Foreign beneficiary and next of kin
to my late Boss who deposited US$70,500,000.00 in a security company two
months ago here in Cotonou Benin because I am the only one who can present
a next of kin foreign beneficiary to the Security company as the owner of
the box of money.
The security company does not know the contents of the box as money rather
we declared it as Costumes and jewelry belonging to a foreign beneficiary.
Also there is something of utmost importance you need to know, You will be
expected here on ARRIVAL in Cotonou Benin to personally witness and
conclude the final transaction because nothing can be done without your
presence and the transaction is highly confidential,between two of US no
third party. I will offer you 40% of the fund for your cooperation.
The following details will be required for the procurement of the box of
money in your name as the Beneficiary.
1) YOUR FULL NAMES AND ADDRESS.
2) SCANNED COPY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT.
3) DIRECT PHONE NUMBER
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