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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. )
- "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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "w.u.b8@live.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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER <frederickdouglass1969@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: w.u.b8@live.com
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:24:41 +0530 (IST)
Subject: HERE IS YOUR MTCN (0083791866)
HEREÂ IS YOUR MTCN (0083791866)
This
is to notify all our clients about the latest development concerning
all the payment that are left in our custody. which yours are inclusive
Besides, your where given a bill of $385. in order to receive your
payment of which we didn’t hear from you for sometime now.
Â
Hence, our Western UnionÂ
is now offering a Special bonus to help all our customers that are
having their payment in our custody due to because of price. in order
words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum
of $98. 00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.
Â
Besides,
my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply and your
funds shall be transfer to your destination address.
Â
But
remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will
divert your funds to government fund avoid problem or we will cancel the
payment for this year until next year because this year is not last
year,
Â
Again
after (this week) We will enter A new project for the year and that is
the reason we decide to help to all our customers before we enter the
new project
Â
So
be advise to send the $98.00 immediately so that we will register your
payment and for to start receive $6.000.00 as from tomorrow.Â
Â
Remember That your payment funds is only (500,000.00)
 Here is the information's of your transactions which you will pick as soon as you send this fee of just $98.00.
Â
Sender's First Name:::::::::::Joseph
Sender's Second Name::::::::Chukwurah
Mtcn
Numbers:::::::::::::::::0083791866
Questions:::::::::::::::::::::::God
Answer::::::::::::::::::::::::::Bless
Amount:::::::::::::::::::::::::$6000.00usd.
Â
Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone unless you will call +229-9318-8251
Contact our official mail is (w.u.b8@live.com) for further informations.
Â
After
the payment of $98.00 you will start receiving your money every blessed day $6.000.00 through western union
Â
Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below:
Â
1. Receiver Name ::::::::Onuorah Sunday.
2. Country::::::::::::::::::Benin Republic.
3. City:::::::::::::::::::::::Cotonou
4.
Question:::::::::::::::God
5. Answer::::::::::::::::Bless
6. Amount:::::::::::::::US$98.00.
7. Mtcn::::::::::::::::::
8. Sender's Name
Â
I will be waiting to hear from you today with the payment information's. I wish you good luck.Yours in service
Â
Â
Thanks for your understanding.
Â
Mr. Amos Utuama.
Director Western Union Benin.
+229-9980-3395.
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