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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- 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.
- western_union_headoffice@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Linda Jones." <westernunion@westernunion.fr>
Reply-To: western_union_headoffice@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2013 16:06:12 +0600 (BDT)
Subject: Attn; Beneficiary,,,
Hurry up for this opportunity has come to you now!!!.
WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
Send Money Worldwide
BRANCH: PLOT 117 JEAN PAUL AVENUE
BENIN REPUBLIC
Email:western_union_headoffice@yahoo.fr
Website: www.westernunion.com
Hello Dear Friend,
I was looking for your contact since two months ago to tell you about the
new development in which you will receive your outstanding fund easily
without any problem because the federal government of this country has
Release your fund to you by western union money transfer.
According to minister of finance you will be receiving the sum of $6000usd
every day till you receive all your funds. So try as much as possible to
get you funds transferred to you. This is your opportunity to have your
funds transferred to you.
Contact western union money transfer office for immediate for the transfer
of your fund at the rate of $6000.00 us dollar everyday till you
Receive all your total fund of $1.6million us dollar.
Bellow is your files number
YOUR FILE NO.... KGU/8020182590
Contact western union department below and send to them your full
information as listed below
1. Your Full Names---------
2. Postal Address----------
3. Phone Numbers-----------
4. Cell Numbers------------
5. Emails Address----------
6. Sex-------------
7. Age-------------
8. Occupation--------------
9. Nationality-------------
10 Your Attached Photo------
Contact the Mr. Douglas Morris who is in position to release your payment
now through this email address ( western_union_headoffice@yahoo.fr ),
and forward to him the stated information immediately for the release of
your first payment of $6000 today.
Best Regards
Mrs. Linda Jones.
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This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
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