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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "atm payment department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "clearance certificate" (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 ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
- "million 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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "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)
- "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. )
- 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.
- +22993178205 (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.
- infofideltiyatmbankplc02@yahoo.fr
Fraud email example:
From: "wellinben15 Gazeta.pl" <wellinben15@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 18:03:33 +0200
Subject: CONTACT ATM MASTER CARD PAYMENT DEPARTMENT immedaitely ,
Dearest friend,
Greetings to you & your Family.
I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your Confirmation Bank
Draft of $1.5. million United States Dollars that my boss left on your
name, but I did not hear from you since that time.Then i went to deposited
the bank draft with registered bank here in Benin Rep being that courier
company can not longer afford to deliver the check to you, with the help of
the my boss lawyer, he advice the fideltiy bank plc cotonou benin republic
to make the payment to you with their new ATM MASTER CARD
And the needed arrangement has made already with fideltiy bank regards the
transaction and i have deposited your fund with fidelity Bank Plc here in
Benin Republic, because I travelled to Argentina for some project i have at
hand and will not come back till next 2month end. I have arranged with them
to make your payment to you with their new ATM MASTER CARD which you can use
to withdraw your money in any ATM MACHINE around the world.
However, Kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your
ATM CARD.
REV DR.James Eze DIRECTOR,
ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT FIDELITY BANK
FAX:+229-93178205
EMAIL:( infofideltiyatmbankplc02@yahoo.fr )
I have paid for the processing charges,delivery charges and Clearance
Certificate charges Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money nor to
sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country, The only Money that your are going
to pay to them is only $106. USD which they will use to obtain the Affidevit
Of Onwership from the Federal High Court Of Cotonou Benin Republic.
Then,I gave them your delivering address but you have to reconfirm it to
them again to avoid any mistake on the delivering and also try to contact
them as soon as possible today to quicken the processing of your card.
Let me know as soon as you receive your card.
Thanks and May God Bless You With Your Family,
wellin ben .
Anti-fraud resources:
