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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:
- 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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "money gram" (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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev Johnson Luke"<johnsonluke@bigmsn.net>
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 23:01:32 -0000
Subject: Beneificary Please Contact Money Gram Office Now For Your Fund
Attention:Beneificary
There is an issue with the MONEY GRAM INTERNATIONAL in the amount of $3.2MUSD directed in cash credited to file #/20182590, at the owner of this email address. This is to inform you that our president Yayi Boni of Benin Republic held meeting with director of ministry of finance on Monday 21st Feb 2010 concern your money, And due to all scammer that has been going through Western Union , all the concluction is that you will be receiving your money through money gram transfer and the amount is $5000 everyday till your final payment .
Now contact Money Gram with this E-mail,(moneygram@blumail.org) Dr.Henry Benson To renewing your file immediately to enable you start receiving your $5000 everyday through money gram transfer below is the information, and remember that the amount you will receiveing everyday starting from today is $5000.00 per day.
Fill this information and send it to Money Gram in Benin Republic.
Contact Person... Dr. Henry Benson
Email... (moneygram@blumail.org)
SENDER NAME; CHINEDU CHUKWUMA
Ref No/ 63792609
TEXT QUESTION ...HOW LONG?
ANSWER.. A DAY AMOUNT;$5000
(1) FULL NAME.......................
(2) ADDRESS.........................
(3) COUNTRY .........................
(4) PRIVATE TEL.......................
(5) PRIVATE FAX.....................
(6) YOUR FILE NO.... /20182590
Yours Faithfully
Rev. Johnson LUKE
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Anti-fraud resources:
