|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "million 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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier company" (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)
- "josephdocco@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "josephdocco@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.JOSEPH DOCCO" <chisommichael877@gmail.com>
Reply-To: josephdocco@yandex.com
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2022 10:57:31 +0100
Subject: FROM HEAD QUARTER POLICE STATION
FROM HEAD QUARTER POLICE STATION
ZOGBO COTONOU INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
BENIN REPUBLIC WEST AFRICA
MR.JOSEPH DOCCO
Email:( josephdocco@yandex.com)
Attention
My name is Mr. Joseph Docco the inspector General of police Benin
Republic,This is to inform you that the government of this country
Benin Republic are sending you the sum of $2.5Million dollars which
you have lost in before because you have been waiting to receive it
from those official that claim to send you ATM CARD and others, We
got them arrested today.
The government is rewarding this funds as one of the scam victim.
We where able to get your email through those that extort money from
you when the police got them arrested , One of them gave us your email
address.
The president of this country His Excellency Mr.Patrice Talon and
world Bank has sent aside the sum of USD$2.2Million Dollars in
consignment to send to you through Courier Company.
We thereby have made a concrete arrangement with the Courier Company
for a safe delivery to your door-step once the beneficiary meets up
the demand of the conveyance.
Note that all the delivery fee has been paid on your behalf. But you
are advise to send only $100 dollar immediately to our office for
your clearance certificate because our agent will proceed to Du'Benin
High Court first thing tomorrow morning so that he should get the
certificate before your consignment will leave this country.
The Courier Company agent will use the certificate to obtain the transaction.
So you advice to contact inspector general of police Benin Republic
Office immediately with your full information for delivery of your
consignment and also to enable our office confirm that you are the
real owner of this Emaill address to avoid any mistake.
Your Full Name .......
Your Country........
Your City............
Your Telephone Number.....
The Amount You Lost....
Your Passport............
Your Age..........
Contact our Office with this information below for more information
and for quick deliver of your consignment.
Here are the SCAMMERS that were arrested, Mr Peter Eric, Jack Hucky
and his workers also with a lady from Philippians is here now
This is the Email ( josephdocco@yandex.com) you can contact to send
the fee. You are advised to buy steam wallet card or Itunes card of
$100 and send immediately.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
