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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Peter Gomez" <zakingy@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Dr. Peter Gomez" <moneygramtransfer91@yahoo.be>
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2015 05:59:17 +0900 (JST)
Subject: ATTENTION PLEASE, ONCE AGAIN
This is to bring to your own notification that Money Gram Department are here to inform you that after when our paying agent had sent your first payment of $5,000 we realized that your fund does not have claims or Affidavit-which must be obtain from Benin Federal High Court so Benin Authorities stopped us for transferring or your fund due to your fund does not have claims or Affidavit.
Then we sent a staff to the Federal High Court that will issue the certificate to you and when he came back he told us that to issue that the certificate to you it will cost you only $28.00 and the money be shouldering send Immediately before FHC you can issue the certificate Certificate Affidavit.
It remaining $28.00 to Obtain your fund Affidavit certificate and assured that you immediately they confirm the $28.00 today you will pick up your money immediately.
We will resend your money with your full name and directly to your country and city today but before you can pick it up you must complete the fee or $28.00 being Affidavit issuing batches before you can pick up your $5,000 today so i advise you to go and send the $28.00 now so That You can be able to pick up your money today to enable us cont union sending your $5,000.00 daily.
Send the $28.00 with the name of our protocol officer Mr. Hope Alive on this information bellow.
1. RECEIVER NAME : HOPE ALIVE
2. COUNTRY : BENIN REPUBLIC.
3. CITY : COTONOU.
4. TEST QUESTION : HONEST
5. TEST ANSWER : TRUST.
6. AMOUNT : $28.00 USD
7. MTCN :
8. SENDER'S NAME :
send us the MTCN number immediately you send the money and immediately we confirm the fee or $28.00, we will send you the first receipt of your $5,000 today not tomorrow.
MY REGARDS TO YOUR FAMILY
DR. PETER GOMEZ
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
MONEY GRAM OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
TELL 0022999176724
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Anti-fraud resources:
