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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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.
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrsgracemorgan1@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- all our good customers a prosperous 2017 !.. e-mail:mrsgracemorgan1@hotmail.com or drj.daddycoordinations@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: AT <"mongg."@crest.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: AT <mrsgracemorgan1@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2017 00:35:26 +0900 (JST)
Subject: HAPPY NEW YEAR /YOUR ATM CARD PAYMENT
FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL DHL EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES.
OFFICE DHL LOT NO.23 PATTE D'OIE
03 BP 2147
COTONOU-BENIN.
TEL: +229 98272969
My Dearest Friend,
You are welcome to DHL EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES with world wide delivery at its best.We are pleased to be at your services. DHL EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES is Regulated and Stipulated by the Delivery Service Authority (DSA), the delivery institutions that REGULATES all delivery activities in Benin Republic.This office has been Notified by your partner/friend who deposited your package in our custody,We are being instructed to deliver this ATM CARD to you through our Diplomatic Tag Immunity. Registration charges has been paid by the depositor except the delivery fee of $72 which you will pay to our before we will release your ATM CARD from our security custody for delivery.However, your information needed for the delivery has been received and noted:
HERE IS THE REGISTRATION DETAILS
Depositor ..DR MIKE J. Grossman
REGISTRACTION NUMBER....021458
REGISTRACTION Shipment Code awb 33xzs)
REGISTRACTION REFRENCE NUMBER...56984789
REGISTRACTION TYPE...ATM CARD
REGISTRACTION PIN CODE...PO254
DELIVERING TIMES 75HOURS REACH YOUR DOORSTEP.SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR Bar.
Iwus Mohamed
Nevertheless, enclosed is the name of our Account officer in ATM of all payment coming to the management which you are to use when sending the $72. You are advised to send the fee via Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer outlet around you.
RECEIVER'S INFORMATION
NAME: :::::::::::: LUC DOSSOU
CITY:::::::::::::::::::::COTONOU
COUNTRY: ::::::::: REPUBLIC BENIN
TEST QUESTION::::::: AA
ANSWER: ::::::::::::::::::BB
AMOUNT: ::::::::$72
We will like to notify you that the diplomat will proceed with the delivery of your ATM to you as soon as we received the DELIVERY fee of $72 from you today or tomorrow.Also note that the keeping fee increases every week. Therefore, you have to try and send it this week to avoid the incremental of the fee.
Thank you for your maximum understanding as we are dedicated to serve our customer best.
WE ARE WISHING ALL OUR GOOD CUSTOMERS A PROSPEROUS 2017 !..
E-Mail:mrsgracemorgan1@hotmail.com or drj.daddycoordinations@hotmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
