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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:
- "atm card department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "charles soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From:
" profcharles.soludo atm department manager" <profcharles.soludo91@yahoo.com>
Reply-To:
" profcharles.soludo atm department manager" <dhlofficebeninservice@barid.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2014 10:56:32 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: contact mr jerry williams now for your atm visa card
UBA BANK INTERNATIONAL
UBA Heights Plot 87 Ajose
Adeogun Street,Cotonou Benin.Rep
Attn:Payment Notification,
This is to bring to your notice that you have a registered visa ATM CARD of ( $4.5m) with DHL Express courier Company customer service with registration code of (8119) please Contact
them with your delivery information; .
Now i want you to contact DHL DELIVERY SERVICE with your
Full Contact information's and direct phone number so that they can deliver your
Card to your designated address without any delay.
Below is their Contact Information's,
Contact Person: Hon Dr Jerry williams,
DHL DELIVERY SERVICE
Email: (DHLOFFICEBENINSERVICE@BARID.COM)
Telephone: +229_99312676
Contact then Today to avoid increase in their security keeping fees
also let me know once you receive your atm Card.
Regards.
PRO CHARLES SOLUDO
DIRECTOR ATM CARD DEPARTMENT
UBA BANK INTERNATIONAL
Federal Republic of Benin
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Anti-fraud resources:
