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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "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. )
- 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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a 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.
- beninexchangeauthority3@yahoo.de (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Linda Nkem" <jamesmba1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: beninexchangeauthority3@yahoo.de
Date: Sat, 21 Dec 2013 10:04:35 +0100
Subject: Exmass Bonus is For You Today
Atten today
Thank you so much,how are you and with your family and also with your
work.i let you understand that our Office here the Exchange Authority
and with Presidency of benin republic MR.YAYI BONI,and there Cabinet
hold a Meetting on December 12th 2013.after the meetting he said that
all the package box in benin republic will delivery to you as a Exmass
Bonus.so the total amount of the Fund, he sign for you To receive to
the Federal High Court is $96Million USD.now the Fund will delivery to
you through Exchange Authority Office.the only thing you will do,
Immedately you contact the Exchange Authority Office is to pay
mentance package fee which is $39 usd.but right now i let you
understand that the Exmass Bonus will Expire after two working days,
which is December 23th the Bonus will Expire.so if you know that you
are ready to clam your package try to contact this Email;;(
beninexchangeauthority3@yahoo.de) and send the Mentance fee of $39 usd
to them
with this information.but if you are not ready to receive it do not
contact or bother yourself ok. do not made mistake for sending the
money,try to meet up because this notce is GOOD NEWS for you because
it is Bonus.
USE THIS INFORMATION SEND THE MONEY.
Receiver Name==Charles Uzodinma
Country Benin Republic
Sender Name==
City==Cotonu
Answer=Exmas
Question==Bonus
Amount==$39 USD
Mtcn===
Send the money through western union or MoneyGram or Ria tansfer.
Thank you and remember bless.
MR.SABO KOMO.
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Anti-fraud resources:
