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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "LIFE BUOY LAW FIRMS" <ecowas.commission@voila.fr>
Reply-To: jamesbrowee@voila.fr
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 10:48:47 +1000 (EST)
Subject: Our Government Decision to Recover Your Long-lost
From the
Debt Liquidation Committee République, Du.Benin.
Read Our Government Decision.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Attn; Client.
The Government instruction issued after the inauguration of (26.members
committee) of the National Executive Council of this country to restate
all out standing clients who left their [A.T.M.CARDS/WESTERN UNION/MONEY
RAM/INHERITANCE, E.T.C] from 2006 till date, unclaimed subject to one
reason or the other in Benin are hereby with drawn for cancellation as a
result of the ongoing internet money scam by hoodlums. This decision was
approve to protect the interest of our humble customers against further
financial heavy harm.
However we have deemed it more comprehensive and secured to convey your
grants through an independent agent Courier delivery in conjunction with
our National Bureau for finance Du Central banque Benin. If you are not
the true recipient of this email please ignore. Send your basic
information’s and proof of claims to the commission Chairman for cross
examination,repley to the chairman’s e-mail contact:
jamesbrownee@voila.fr
This message is from the Debt Liquidation Committee for Africa du Benin
Regional Outlet Centre.
I remain,
James Brownee Jida.Col. (Rtd)
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Anti-fraud resources:
