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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- 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.
- 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.
- moeaun@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: R.O.N NANSOUNON <ronben5@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:49:42 +0000
Subject: Urgent Situation
Re: Urgent Situation
Dear Sir,
There is urgent situation that might require your help. Someone told me about you and I decided to contact you without delaydue to the necessity. Please permit me to ask you a few questions as follows:-
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK & CO.
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION.
CITIGROUP BANK INC.
WELLS FARGO BANK & COMPANY.
Can you provide bank account of one of these banks?
Have you controlled a huge sum of money in the past?
Can you safely control a sum of ¤21.294.130.75?
Accept my apologies for the inconvenience. Your quick response will be highly appreciated. My language is French. But I understand English very well. You can contact me by French if you understand French or by English. Send a copy of your response to this e-mail address moeaun@yahoo.com
Yours faithfully,
Rufin Orou Nan NANSOUNON
Minister of Maritime Economy
And port infrastructure
Republic of Benin
Phone: +229 61 30 02 48
Phone: +229 61 18 32 01
Email CC: moeaun@yahoo.com
www.gouv.bj/gouvernement
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Anti-fraud resources:
