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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:
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "FBI Director." <officefille1985@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fbiofffoiec@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 22:31:56 +0100 (BST)
Subject: F B I WARNING! WARNING !! WARNING !!! FROM DIR. ROBERT MULLER III
Attention:
We have been watching every single
transaction you made since last year until this 2011 and even the one you about
to send this month: But you have to know that we are also working to make sure
your funds which are suppose to be delivered to you, and also bear in mind that
what ever you emailing us will be forward to the court.
Also we are hereby to notify by the federal bureau of
investigation Cotonou department of the insult you
imposed on them by failing to comply by their requirements.
Your full residential address has been forwarded to us
for your immediate arrest to face your challenges, but I deminded it fit to give
you one more chance to save yourself from this mess.We have been told that you
have failed to dance by the rule of the FBI which will warrant 2 years jail
sentence.
Now I DIrector. Dr.
Robert Muller III, the special person in charge of the FBI Head Office NYC
department I am giving you 48 hours to effect the payment of the $285.00 usd. To
the FBI in republic of Benin (fbi-security) with the
information written below:
Receiver:;; benjamine
obunso c
Country:;;;Benin Republic
Test Question:;;;
Urgent
Test
Answer:;; now
Amount: ;;;$285 US.dollars
Mtcn
number;;;
Sender Name;;;
You have to try as much as you can and make this
payment so that your funds will be delivered immediately to your destination.You
have to stop every transaction you are communicating with other organization to
avoid delay on the processing of your funds.
Note that you if you fail to stick with my advice or
any delay will lead to us coming directly to your home address at any time, so
try and dance by the rule and get back to me with good understanding
ASAP.
WARNING:
FAILUER TO FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTION: YOU WILL ENTITLED TO BE 3 YEARS
PRISON.
FBI
Director.
Robert S. Muller, III
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Anti-fraud resources:
