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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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- attterrydon@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "BARRISTER TERRY DON.YANKY" <boabb_plc@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: terrydonn-att@cpll.cn
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2011 23:10:05 +0100 (BST)
Subject: YOUR FUNDS
BARRISTER TERRY DON.YANKY
Senior Advocate, International Legal Practitioner
Artube's Chamber's COTONUO BENIN
ADDRESS: NO 2 LADIKPO BENIN REPUBLIC
PHONE+22993843698
E-mail:attterrydon@yahoo.fr OR terrydonn-att@cpll.cn
Attention;
We
received mails and calls from Ministry Of Finance Benin, in regards to
the amount of funds being pending to be transfer to you from Western
union office here in Benin,the funds was made to transfer to you.The
Authorities had given us power to investigate why the funds has not yet
be transferred to you in your country.But before any thing we need
answer to this questions.
1.What was the reason given to you as course of the delay?
2.How does this amount of $500,000.00usd come to Benin?
3.What purpose these funds stand for here in Benin?
We will be waiting for your urgent response,and the funds will be smoothly be transfer to you once you clarified us.Email us @ terrydonn-att@cpll.cn
BARRISTER TERRY DON.YANKY (Attorney)
REPUBLIC OF BENIN REVENUE SERVICE.
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Anti-fraud resources:
