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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: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER <info.westernunionmtransferbj@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:17:16 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Money Transfer Control Number*MTCN* (153 643 2755)









Western Union Money Transfer 

EMS Post Office Agent LocationBenin Republic- Cotonou

Dear Receiver,
Your
details have been verified and your fund has been transferred  the
transferred fund value is thirty thousand us dollar ($30,000.00) Below are the details of first payment transaction; 
Money Transfer Control Number*MTCN* (153 643 2755)
Sender's Name: Maureen Chigozie (Ms)Sender's Address: EFCC House, 15A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi
Country: Benin Republic
Amount Transferred:
$5,000.00
*Please
note that the above transaction has not been authorized and the reason
why the fund is not authorized is because the service fee has not been
forwarded to us which is the only fee that is putting your fund on hold,
as soon as we receive the service fee your fund will be authorized and
will be available for pick up at any western union agent location in
your state.* Service fee covers the cost of services rendered when administering & maintaining a third-party transaction to a beneficiary that is not living within the country
which the fund is
being deposited, service fee is usually one percent (0.2%) of the
deposited fund and it is under normal conditions paid by the beneficiary
of a third-party transaction. The applicable registration and transfer
fees have been paid by the depositor. The
reason why the service fee cannot be deducted from your fund is because
your fund has been insured by the depositor, this is in accordance with section 13(1)(n)
of the national monetary act as adopted in 1999 and amended on 3rd
July 2004 by the constitutional assembly. This is to protect beneficiary
and to
avoid misappropriation of funds. Send the service fee of $40 which is the (1%) of your compensation fee and Value Added Tax (VAT) of $15 to the payment information stated below to enable us authorize your fund for pick up. 
Made the payment via western union or money gram to information stated below
 Name:  John I. Chukwu
 Address:  NO7 lokoja road Ugbe communityCountry: Benin RepublicText question:  Primary Logo?Answer:  BlackAmount: $55

*The
service fee should be sent to us within three (24) working hours,
failure to meet up with this will lead to automatic transaction
cancellation*
Send the following details via e-mail to this office for prompt clearance:Sender's name:.......................Sender's Address:....................... Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN):................................ If you have questions or need assistance, our team is here to help. 

Best Regards,
Western union Agent.

Dayo martins



Western
Union Money Transfer Agent Location, EMS Post Office. Registered No:
1026167. Head Office: 125 Marina Street, Benin Republic- Cotonou 


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