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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:
- "million us 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. BUDY M ANDERSON" <officeinfo760@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. BUDY M ANDERSON" <mrbudy.ranson@yahoo.co.za>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2015 20:24:26 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Hello dear beneficiary,
Hello dear beneficiary, Eco bank Benin Republic Plc
We have receive your mail with our request where to transfer
your fund of $8.5million us dollars to your bank account, and I want you to
know that we are ready to transfer your funds to you but according to IMF
office before we proceed to transfer your $8.5million usd you must pay our
transfer fee of $135usd to cover your documents and sign some on your be half
meanwhile I want you to try your best to send the money today so that we will proceed
immediately to release your fund after the payment of $135usd today,
I wait your reply now
Here is the information where to send the needed fee okay.
Receiver name========jerry oke
Country ============ Benin Republic
City===============Port Novo
Test Question=========GOD
Answer ===============BLESS
Amount============= $135usd
Once you forward this to this bank I assure you that you are
to
Receive your fund within 19hrs ok, if your are able to call
me am free
Call this line +229 99788092
OR +229 62740290or text SMS
Thanks and remain bless, my regards to your family.
Mr. BUDY M ANDERSON
Eco bank director general
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Anti-fraud resources:
