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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:
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: CENTRAL BANK OF BENIN <cbbjcentralbank@yahoo.be>
Reply-To: <cbbj_centralbank@qq.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:42:20 -0800
Subject: Urgent Attention!
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Urgent Attention!
This is official message from the central bank of Benin Republic to
inform
you that we have verified your contract file and found out why you have
not
received your fund is because you have not fulfilled the obligations
given
to you in respect of your fund.
secondly we have been informed that you are still dealing with the none
officials in the bank all your attempt to secure the release of the
fund to
you. we wish to advice you that such an illegal act like this have to
stop
if you wishes to receive your fund.
We have decided to bring a solution to your problem, right now we have
arranged your payment through our swift card payment center, this card
center will send you an atm card which you will use to withdraw your
money
in any atm machine in any part of the world, but the maximum is one
thousand five hundred dollars per day, so if you like to receive your
fund
this way
please let us know and also send the following information.
1) your full name (2) your phone and fax number (3) address were you
want
us to send the atm card and your nearest airport, also indicate if you
wish
to receive payment either by wire transfer to your account or by the
atm
card.
the atm card payment center has been mandated to issue out
{us$2.3million
u.s dollars} as part payment for this fiscal year 2015. also for your
information you have to stop any further communication with any other
person(s) or office(s). this is to avoid any hitches in finalizing the
release of the fund to you. email back as soon as you receive this
important message for further direction in this regards and also update
me
on any development.
regards
Ben Bright.
Director of operations
Central Bank of Benin
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Anti-fraud resources:
