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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:
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Betty M. Williams" <wunion354@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Betty M. Williams" <postoffice.beninrepublic@yahoo.es>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:56:27 +0900 (JST)
Subject: NATIONAL POSTAL AGENCY BENIN REPUBLIQUE
NATIONAL POSTAL AGENCY BENIN REPUBLIQUE.
RUE 03 BP 1000,COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
BENEFICIARY
My friend I have registered your Bank Draft Cheque to the POST OFFICE BENIN this morning so that they will Post it to your home address and i believe your current address is still the same. Your total amount in the envelope is $12Million and the POST OFFICE assured me that there will be no stoppage until it get to your hands I want you to contact them and re-confirm your address where to Post it to you.
Contact Person Mr.Bush Johnson
Tell+22998075585
1 Your full information for the Postal
2 Your full Name..........
3 Your Address.................
4 Your Country.......................
5 Your Telephone...........................
Please make sure that you send us the scan copy of your ID As soon as possible for security purposes
Thanks remain blessed
Mrs. Betty M. Williams
NATIONAL POSTAL AGENCY COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
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Anti-fraud resources:
