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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- +22993991609 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- bell_view_courier_company01@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: williams_kuye03@zipmail.com.br
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:35:39 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?CONTACT=20THE=20COURIER=20COMAPANY=20FOR=20YOUR=20CONSIGNMENT?=
Attn;My Dear
Its my pleasure to inform you that your compensation fund of US$1.5M certified
bank draft has been converted to cash through the help of the issuing bank
as it has delayed more than necessary and to avoid expiring,thats why Your
fund was packaged in a consignment and it will be delivered to you as a
cash payment by the diplomats .
However your consignment containing your fund has been registered as African
Fabrics with BELL VIEW COURIER COMPANY,for immediate delivery of your consignment
to your destination.
You are required to contact the BELL VIEW COURIER COMPANY,here in cotonou
Benin for immediate delivery of your consignment to your home address as
they are waiting to hear from you to receive your information where to deliver
your box.You can reach them with the below infor.
Dr YAYI BOMA
2/4 honvo jacques route
Cotonou,Benin
EMAIL;(bell_view_courier_company01@yahoo.fr)
Tel; +229 9399 1609
Below is the consignment registration number
CON/5478/MTM/07.
You are required to include it in your mail which you will send to the BELL
VIEW COURIER COMPANY.If you have any identification ,you can send it swell.As
soon as you receive your consignment inform me.
Regards
Secretary William
Anti-fraud resources:
