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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. )
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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 service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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)
- 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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: BARRISTER GERRY ORTON <officefille483@yahoo.pl>
Reply-To: office_barrister_gerry_orton@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:36:41 +0100 (BST)
Subject: FROM THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF BENIN
FROM THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF BENIN
(Civil Procedure)
(F.H.C.B)
( ARANGEMENT)
ATTN ,
How are you today, hoping you are doing great I want you to know that I just received your full contact details and now I am working on how you will get your funds without any kind of delay.
But due to the law over here is that beneficiary is responsible for any kind of fee and i will want you to know that immediately you make the payment as instructed your (US$4.85 MILLION)united state dollars be delivered to you in 24hours
And that will be delivered to your doorstep by the diplomatic courier service and which it cost $130 for the delivery fee and as soon as the fee is paid and have been clarified on there system your fund will be delivered to your doorstep in the next 24hours after the fee is paid.But if you want Bank to Bank transfer i will get it out from courier company and deposit in the Bank to be trasnfered to home account which will cost you $125
Please if you choose Bank or courier which ever one you prefer use the information below to send the charges
And i will want you to reconfirm your full information after making the payment via western union And i like to inform you that the courier service is necessary and also i will you to have it in your mine that your package is real and will be delivred to you
Western Union Money Transfer
USING MY DRIVERS INFORMATION BECAUSE I AM AN OLD MAN
RECEIVER-------------DIBOR JOHN
COUNTRY-------------BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY---------------------COTONOU
TEST QUESTION---HOW LONG
ANSWER-------------TODAY
After you make the payment send,Get back to me with this necessary information?
My information
IM OLD MAN Age:
Name: MIKE IKE
2. ADDRESS: 2-22006
BP 1409 AKPAKPA
Country: BENIN
Postal Code: G8T 8C1
3. Phone Num.: +229 99 14 06 41
5. Age: ...............63 years old
6 ID
SEND YOU informationTO ME
Thanks
Best regard.
BARRISTER GERRY ORTON
FROM THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OFBENIN
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Anti-fraud resources:
