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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.
- 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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "lagos" (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 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.
- kay20011@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "kay20011@gmail.com" <kay20011@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:27:33 +0100
Subject: HERE IS YOUR FIRST MTCN NUMBER (6502128482)
Here Is the Payment information of your first of your $4.500.00 that has
been transfer but it's still on hold till you send the transfer charge so
you can track it now and confirm that it's available for pick up then once
you send the transfer charge this morning, we will release it immediately
to enable you pick it today.this first and call for the 2nd one. we only
have two matcn for you daily as directed by the Remitance director Hear is
the first payment information that you need to pick up first and call
after an hour.
Money Transfer Control Number (M.T.C.N):6502128482
MTCN #-------------------------6502128482
Sender's First name-----------FIFAME
Sender's Last name--------KPOVIANOU
Security Question: withhold?
answer--------------------released
Amount: $4,500.00 USD
You can lo-gin to western union website with this link to check out your
transfer https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global
or call westernglobal-confirmation line +18003256000
This is the reciever information where to make the payment of $84.00 USD,
for the daily trasfer charges
RECEIVER-------------MICHAEL EKOGBULU
LOCATION CITY-----------------YABA LAGOS
COUNTRY-----------------NIGERIA
TEXT QUESTION--DO
ANSWER-----------JOY
AMOUNT--------$84.Only
SENDER NAME__________
MTCN___________
Be advise that the $84.00 is a compulsory as they told me that is only
money you will pay until you receive your complette daily payments I am
waiting for your call once you pick up this $4,500.00,Please email me your
direct telephone number because I need to email and calling you once we
send any payment for the information.
Regards
REMITANCE DIRECTOR HYCENT KING +
EMAIL (kay20011@gmail.com)
HERE IS YOUR FIRST MTCN NUMBER (6502128482)
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Anti-fraud resources:
