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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: "Dr.Larry J .Roland" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westernunipayment8241@rediffmail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2014 02:52:06 -0800
Subject: Money Transfer Control number: 3972610246

Attention: Dear Beneficiary,

We are happy to in form you officially that we received approval letter today from Federal Ministry of Finance Office, authorizing our Bank Western Union to program a total sum of $1.800,000.00 USD and pay you through our western union money transfer system for your easy pickup and warned against any unforeseen delay that could make your fund not to get to you in a timely manner.

The Federal Ministry of Finance chairman (Prince Isaiah Joe ) have submitted your payment file to the Benin Consulate for screening and all data have being confirmed correct to pay you a total sum of $1.800,000.00 USD as a result overdue contract/Inheritance Funds/Compensation Funds and your Lottery Winning funds so far. We have been advised to send you $5000 USD every day because Western Union laws here in Benin Republic can only transfer a maximum of $5.000 USD every day to you.

We have transferred your first US$5000.00 available for your pickup at any western union office in your City, but still on hold due to the unpaid activation fee of $75 which you supposed to pay before your transfer will be posted to your country for pickup.

NOTE: THE REASON WHY WE NEED YOU TO SEND US THE $75 USD IS THAT WE TRIED TO DEDUCT THE ACTIVATION FEE OUT FROM YOUR FUND BUT THE MINISTER ADMINISTRATOR TRUST FUND OF BENIN TOLD US THAT NO ONE HAS ACCESS OVER YOUR FUND AS IT HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND STAMPED THAT NO MONEY SHOULD BE DEDUCTED UNTIL IT GETS TO YOU TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDING,CRIMINAL ACT AND FOR SECURITY REASONS.

For your convenience check your first $5000.00 installment transfer online at on the space provided at western union (westernunion.com/asp/orderstatus.asp?country=global ) clicks TRACKING and fill the bellow information website.

Money Transfer Control number: 3972610246
Sender first name: Joseph
Sender Last name: mmachi
Question: Faith
Answer: In God
Amount: US$5000

You will pickup the $5000 USD at any western union office in your country after 45 mins you send the $75 activation fee of your daily installment account. You are to send the activation fee today on our bellow information through Western Union or store close to you:-

Receive by: ......Emmanuel Obi
City : .................Cotonou,
Country: ......................Benin
Zip Code: ..................+229
Text Question: ................Faith?
Answer: ................In God
Amount: ................US$75
Sender name......
Sender Address.....

As soon as you transfer the activation fee, send us the transfer MTCN on our bellow contact information to enable us receive it today and proceed with immediate transfer release of your $5000 USD today. Thanks for using our service while we wait your kind response,

Mr.Smith Ezenwa
call me now +229-68298741
Director Remit Dept
Diamond Bank Western Union Department
E-Mail; westernunipayment8241@rediffmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: