joewein.de LLC fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter! Free trial for 30 days

"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22997036997 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Uba Morrise" <morrise04@mailbox.hu>
Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 16:41:47 +0100
Subject: CONTACT FEDEX COMPANY DIRECTOR: DR.OSCAR BENSON


From The Desk: Barr. Morrise Uba M.N (ESQ)
33,Bury Complex Cotonou,
Republic Of Benin.
Friday, May 16, 2008

Atten,
How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have already Paid the
fees for your Cheque Draft. And I went to the Bank to confirm if the Cheque
has expired or getting near to expire and Mr. Zuma Jefferson the Director of
Eco Bank told me that before the cheque take more time in my hand that it
will expire. However, all the necessary arrangement of delivering the $1.5m
USD Package was made with West African FEDEX SERVICE COMPANY here in
Cotonou-Benin Republic.

Mr. Zuma Jefferson, The Director of the Eco Bank Du Benin-Cotonou helped
me packaged the $1.5m USD package the cheque this after noon. Then he also
agreed to help me to register the packaged with Fedex Service Company.
Infect, I thank God very much for all the movement I made, everything goes
normally. As for our agreement with the Fedex Service Company, they promised
us that your packaged will leave this week immediately they hear from you
as the beneficiary of the packaged. Again, the Director of the Company said
that they will need your full contacts information to enable them meet up
with you once the Diplomat/Agent arrive to your Country. Please write a
letter of application to the given address below.

DIRECTOR: DR. OSCAR BENSON
Hot - line..... +229 970 369 97
Email : ( post_line011@live.fr )

Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your packaged. This is what
they need from you.

1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3. YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.
4. YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.
5.YOUR CITY
6.YOUR COUNTRY
7.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE
8.COMPANY SECURITY REGISTRATION N0...... EG58956.
9. CODE NUMBER......0140481
10.SEIZE ..........1245 LENT;

Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director General
of Fedex Service Company Dr, Oscar Benson with the address given to you.
Note. The Fedex Service Company did not know the contents of the packaged .
I registered it as a packaged, They don't know it contents cheque. This is
to avoid them delaying with the packaged . Do not let them know that the
packaged contain cheque ok. I am waiting for your urgent response. You can
even call the Director of Fedex Service Company with their Hot-line.....
+229 970 369 97

Thanks and Remain Blessed.

Regards
Yours Fidelity
Barr Morrise Uba M.N (ESQ)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam