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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- 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.
- mribrahimlamorde45@yahoo.com.sg (Yahoo, Singapore; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde" <fbiofficebeninrepublic@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mribrahimlamorde45@yahoo.com.sg
Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 11:06:34 +0200
Subject: Attention Dear Beneficiary
Attention Dear Beneficiary.
I Write To Apologies For Not Been Able To Receive Your Payment Due To Our
Former Efcc Chairman Was Sack And When I Was Hand Over The Position By Mr.
President Of Benin Rep To Become The New Efcc Chairman. Note That I Resume
Office On 21 Of AUG 2014 Which I Go Through Your File And I Find Out That
You Suppose To Receive A Sum Of $8.3Million United State Dollars But Due To
The Incident That Accrue, You Where Not Able To Concluded With Her Again
Before She Left The Office And She Beg Me To Make Sure That You Receive
Your Payment Successfully.
Be Inform That I Have Gone Through Your Payment File And You Will Be
Receiving Your Payment Through ATM Visa Card Which Will Be Deliver To You
By CBN Express Courier And I Have Make Inquiry How Much All Will Cost You
To Put Everything In Place And I Find Out Is Only $85.usd dollars
I Will Be Glad That You Act As Soon As You Can Today And Make The Payment
Through Money Gram Or Western Union And Send All Your Full Delivering
Details To Enable The CBN Express Courier Delivered The Card Successfully
To Your Doorstep.
Receiver Name--ALEX MBAHE
Test Question--God
Test Answer--Help
Location--Benin Republic
City--Cotonu
Amount To Send Only $85 usd dollars,
You Are Advice To Send The Full Details As Soon As You Return From Western
Union Or Money Gram And Do Not Make Any Mistake. Meanwhile I Will Send You
My Working Identity Card And My International Passport In My Next E-Mail.
mribrahimlamorde45@yahoo.com.sg Thanks For Your Cooperation And
Understanding,
Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde
Efcc Chairman
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Anti-fraud resources:
