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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "westernunion02 Gazeta.pl" <westernunion02@gazeta.pl>
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 10:02:44 -0700
Subject: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT


*Western Union(R) * *Welcome to Western Union*
*Send Money Worldwide*

*Attention:*

*There is an issue with the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the amount of
$500.000.00 USD directed in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308, at the
owner of this email address. The INTERNATIONALMONETARY FUND contacted us for
your compensation a couple of hours ago due to your allocated security code.
*
**
*They said that they choose to send it to an email address instead of a
name. We are unable to complete a transfer directed at an emailaddress,*
**
*so we require some more information in order to complete this transfer.*
**
*FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION: HOME MAKER
MARITAL STATUS AND AGE: *
**
*In order to resolve this problem,please email via Western Union Solicitors
Fund Verification Department:
(westernunion4044@yahoo.fr<westernunion4044@yahoo.fr>)
**As soon as this information is received,and you have complied with the
requirements of payment of the western union charges $510, payment will be
made to your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from The
Western Union Transfering Bank.*
**
*From Directly Management of Western Union Money Transfer United Kingdom
Head Office and our Motto is To Serve You Better.*
**
*Below is the information to send the $510.00 today through Western Union
money transfer to make it faster and easier.*
**
*RECEIVER NAME; * *CHIDOZI CHIBUEZE*
*RECEIVER COUNTRY; BENIN REPUBLIC*
*CITY;COTONOU*
*TEST QUESTION; IN GOD*
*ANSWER; WE TRUST*
*AMOUNT; $510.00*
*MTCN NUMBER............................*
**
*Please don't forget to send the MTCN number to me immediately you send the
money and make sure that you send with this information to avoid mistake ok.
Waiting to have the MTCN.*
**
*Contact us on our website on
**www.westernunion.co.uk*<http://www.westernunion.co.uk/>
*
also note that you would be responsible for any payment that is needed for
the transfer of your funds into your nominated bank account or at the
counter directly
from the Western Union Transferring Bank.*
**
*THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER, UNITED KINGDOM HEAD OFFICE.
*
**
*DISPATCHED THIS DAY*
**
*Sincerely,*
**
*MR. MARK JAMES.*
**
*www.westernunion.co.uk* <http://www.westernunion.co.uk/>
*WESTERN UNION PAYMENT
* [image: Dollars] [image: Western Union Logo]*Western Union(R) *
*Welcome to Western UnionPhone:+229-939863781*
*Send Money Worldwide*

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