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: =?iso-8859-1?Q?PAYMENT_OFFICE__=A92011?= <consultantfrontdesk@socialworker.net>
Reply-To: westernunionofficebenin37@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:34:12 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN):


Hello!
This is to inform you that we have received your personal informations and the Activation Fee of your files to start sending your fund. This morning we have made sum of US$4,500.00 payable to your name & the payment information such as: Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN): Sender's Name: Question & Answer is on my desk waiting for you to send the balance of (US$68.00) for Storation and Fund Clearance Fee of your total fund which is the only thing remain to be done.
You are therefore to send the balance to the following name and address using (Western Union Money Transfer) to ensure you confirm the first installmental within 45-Minutes because Western Union Money Transfer can send and withdraw within 40 to 45-Minutes.
Receivers Name: Onyi JohnReceivers Location: Benin RepublicCity: CotonouQuestion & Answer: Best Color/Blue
SENDER'S NAME:MTCN#
Your earlier reply will be appreciated so that you will start receiving your fund from today as your total amount to be received is only (US$500.000.00). Reply via mail as soon as you send the US$68.00 as you will confirm your first transfer within 45-minutes of receiving the US$68.00. Your total amount  to receive is (US$750.000.00) and  your urgent reply will be needed via e-MAIL address: westernunionofficebenin37@yahoo.com.hk
Yours in service!Mr. Robert Williams+229 9794 8648

Anti-fraud resources: