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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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "required fee " (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. )
- "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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "mrsrogers ." <mrsrogers@sify.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:30:42 -0300
Subject: Re:
Dear Beneficiary
With all do respect, I am written to you in regards of your over payment you
made during in the processes of recieving your over due contract/inheritance
payment from Central Bank Of Nigeria and offshore payment. The panel of
enquiry have mandated us to return USD$25,500 to you which has been already
wired back to you through Western Union Money Transfer Regional office in
Togo.
Here is the Info you will use to fill the WUMT form and cash your fund.
Name of Reciever:
Sender Name: Robin Navaratnam
Mtcn No: 0224864018
Amount:USD5000
Question: What For
Text Answer: Transfer
You can as well confirm the payment online
https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global
You are advice to go straight to western union money transfer office to
pick-up your return USD$25,500 with the above control number(MTCN),
Note that you are not allowed to pick up this fund untill you have paid the
Activation fee of US$350 and your fund will be release to you within 24Hrs
of the payment.
Kindly send the required fee to the name and information below and call me.
Name: Mr. Sunny Azoro
Address: Lagos Nigeria
Text Question: For?
Answer: Activation
Amount: US$350
I wait for the payment details once the fee is paid.
Thanks for your understanding and corporation
Thanks,
Mrs Linda Rogers
WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU HAVE TO PICK UP THE WESTERN UNION BEFORE 15 WORKING DAYS OR THE
TRANSACTION WILL BE CANCELLED, PLEASE GET BACK TO ME IMMEDIATELY. ONCE YOU
RECEIVE THIS MASSAGE..
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Anti-fraud resources:
