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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- "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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.ikomo Samuel" <ww.@space.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr.ikomo Samuel" <mr.ikomosamuel@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2016 19:40:16 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dear Customer,
Dear Customer,
This is to inform you that we are in possession of a verified and
certified parcel (Cheque) from the Eco Lottery , worth for $10.5,
million US dollars. You are required to re-confirm your delivery address
and an alternative mailing address to enable us deliver your parcel
immediately.
Note that we do not deliver parcels to P. O. Box address or street
corners but to your residential address or your bank. It is the usual
practice of the Benin Republic Home Office to conduct a proper
verification of all parcels to ensure that they are valid. Is rest
assured that your parcel has been verified and confirmed valid by the
Benin republic Home Office Below are the mandatory Insurance and
administrative charges that you are required to pay to enable us deliver
your parcel to you.
FEDEX SPECIAL DELIVERY (Over Night Delivery)
Courier charges:…. $100.00 Us Dollars
Insurance:………. $30.99 Us Dollars___________________________
Total = $130 Us Dollars __________________________
You are to make the above payment through money gram money transfer to
the below name and address:
Receiver’s Name: .........
City: Cotonou
Country: Benin Republic
Question: What Color
Answer: Red
You are to send the following information via email as they appear on
the western union transfer slip:
1. Sender’s Full Name:
2. Sender’s Address:
3. Amount sent
4. Western Union Control Number MTCN (10 Digit)
5.Text Question and Answer
NB: We will not entertain any insults from you, if you are not
interested in your parcel please ignore this message. Still there will
be no Cash on Delivery (COD). Regards
Dr. MR Ikomo Samuel
Services Manager.FedEx
Courier Service Company.
Tel: + (229) 99227510
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Anti-fraud resources:
