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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.
- 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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- 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.
- 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.
- bbarrfemiandy01@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Emma Paul" <officefilemm@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: bbarrfemiandy01@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 20:25:31 -1200
Subject: THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE AND OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE TO CLAIM YOUR $1.250.000.00
Dear Customer,
The higher Regulatory authorities that is in charge of international transaction has this morning declared that you will receive your $1.250.000.00 through Western Union Only as compensation for your past effort here in Benin Rep.
The arrangement has been made this morning and the Federal High Court of Justice has signed your Western Union Transfer Papers and the only money you will pay is $58 for the signing of it which, means your transfer will start today.
The daily transfer of your fund is $4500 per day until your total $1.250.000.00 is completed. I am here to swear to you that your first payment of the $4500 will be on its way today or latest tomorrow morning once we confirm the $58 from you today, which is for the Federal High Court of Justice Benin Rep. signing of your Transfer Papers. To show you are the truth.
RECEIVER: (Onuorah Emeka)
COUNTRY: (Benin Republic)
QUESTION: (TRUST)
ANSWER: (TRUST)
AMOUNT: ($58)
MTCN: ( )
SENDER: ( )
Note that you should contact western union together with the payment of the fee with their information below:
CONTACT DETAILS:
Mr. Femi Andy
+229-98475441
Reply: (bbarrfemiandy01@yahoo.com.hk)
Your MTCN is ready to send to you together with the attaché of the payment SLIP for your confirmation, which will be forward to you once you send the requested fee USD.
WARNING:::
THIS NEWS HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU SEVERAL TIMES, BUT YOU DIDN'T COMPLY.........WHY??? LISTEN, THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE AND OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE TO CLAIM YOUR $1.250.000.00 OTHERWISE YOUR FUNDS WILL BE CANCEL.
Regards:
Dr.paul Emma
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Anti-fraud resources:
