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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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 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. )
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "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 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. )
- "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)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (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)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- "johnsamson@qatar.io" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Lt. Gen. Peter Olu" <deliveryservice.peter59@gmail.com>
Reply-To: johnsamson@qatar.io
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:27:36 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION WILL BE APRECIATED
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL
SECURITY ADVISER
TO THE
PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN REPUBLIC
GET BACK TO ME AT YOUR
EARLIEST CONVINIENCE
â€Attention:Beneficiary
I am Lt. Gen. Peter Olu,
National Security Adviser to the President Dr BONI YAYI Federal Republic of
Benin. I decided to contact you because of the prevailing security report
reaching my office and the intense nature of policy in Benin Republic. This is
to inform you about our plan to send your fund to you via cash delivery. This
system will be easier for you and for us. We are going to send your contract
part payment of USD 1.5.Million to you via diplomatic courier
service.
Â
Note:
The money is coming on two security proof boxes. The boxes are sealed with
synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. This fund was brought to us from
America; it was meant for our Local AFEM market. But since the money was not
used, I will use my position as the National Security Adviser to the President
to send this fund to you.
The
boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will accompany the boxes to your
house address. All you need to do now is to send to me
Â
Your full
name
Your
house address
Your
age
Your
marital statue
Your
identity such as, international passport or driver license
Your contact phone and fax
numbers,
Â
The
Diplomatic attached will travel with it. He will call you immediately he arrives
your airport. I hope you understand me. I will let you know by the special grace
of God when the boxes are airlifted.
Â
Note: The diplomatic does not
know the original contents of the boxes. What l declared to them as the contents
is Sensitive Photographic Film Material. I did not declare money to them please.
If they call you and ask you the contents please tell them the same thing Ok, I
will let you know how far I have gone with the arrangement. I will secure the
Diplomatic immunity clearance certificate that will be tagged on the boxes to
make it stand as a diplomatic consignment Meanwhile the only amount involve for
the final conclusion of the delivery to you is $78 USD for the security keeping
fees due to the funds has been keeping here safety for
long..
Â
Therefore be advice to send to me the needed security keeping
fees of $78 immediately with this information.
Â
Receiver:----------------------------John Obagha
Country:-----------------------------Benin
Republic
City:-----------------------------------Cotonou
Test:----------------------------------A
Answer:------------------------------B
Sender:------------------------------Name
Mtcn
No:----------------------------------
Â
This clearance will make it
pass every custom checkpoint all over the world without hitch. Confirm the
receipt of this message and send the requirements to me immediately you receive
this message. If you need more information about this, I will give you the
details how to contact the diplomat for more information on how to carry out the
plan.
Â
I need
your response because the boxes are schedule to leave as soon as we hear from
you. Reply me immediately you receive this message via Email (johnsamson@qatar.io)
Â
Best
Regards,
Lt.
Gen. Peter Olu
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