joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: WESTERN UNION BENIN <office----0011724@att.net>
Reply-To: info.western.u.m.t.229@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 07:16:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: FROM WESTERN UNION BENIN





WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
Send Money Worldwide
BRANCH: PLOT 117 JEAN PAUL AVENUE
Tel: (Tel: (+229) 997-800-82.
BENIN REPUBLIC.
Email:info.western.u.m.t.229@gmail. com
Website: www.westernunion.com
 
 
Dear Beneficiary ,
 
In reference to the general consensus meeting held with The Benin Fondation De France (B.F.D.F),UNHCR ORGANIZATION and the Ministry of Finance which the theme was to settle all astanding Compensation/Grant Debts owed by UNHCR ORGANIZATION and Government and as well conduct and issue compensation/grant to the new beneficiaries.
 
Your grant donation information is, reference No: STH/UNO/WBO/MM-2010, File No: GT/55/1209SW. The selection process was carried out through our computerized email selection system from a database of over 200,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world.
 
Therefore you are a beneficiary of compensation/Grant funds of $500,000.00. The funds was arranged by the said Organisations to be transferred via Western Union Money Transfer. In accordance to the engagement agreement with the various Ministries.
 
The Western Union here in Benin Republic has limited transfer rate because of International communities and Anti-Terrorist/Drug Law so, we are only permitted to transfer $5,000.00 daily until your total funds completely paid.
 
Please send to us your full names and address with city and country as stated below to receive your compensation funds as we are only permitted to transfer $5,000.00 daily.
 
Receiver Name-------------
Country--------------
City----------------
Phone--------------
Test question-------------
Answer----------------
 
PLEASE SEND THIS INFORMATIONS TO THIS EMAIL CONTACT EMAIL:info.western.union.bn.229@gmail.com Or Email: w.u.m.t.bj229@wss-id.org
 

We await your prompt response.
Best Regard's,
Dr Ray Mike
(Secretary General T)
WESTERN UNION BENIN

Anti-fraud resources: