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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:
- 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. )
- 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: "Senate" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rebeccajhn@in.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:54:57 +0100
Subject: COMPENSATPRY GRANT FOR YOUR EFFORT
I firstly want to appreciate your concern and effort this past months.I tell you,you did so well financially emotionally and otherwise diaspora.
The transaction which we were both working on these past month,i am glad to let you know that it is successful and i have the money all together with me.For your kindest attention and the help you render financially,i sets aside for you a lump sum Forty Five Thousand United States Dollars and it is been sent to you via Western Union,please see the information below and proceed to the nearest Western Union to pick up the sum for you compensative effort.I am on a long trip to Asia perhaps relocate there and start a new life there.
You would see below the information of the sender who is my Personal Assistance.Email Ms.Rebecca Johnson once you have the money picked at this email rebeccajhn@in.com
MTCN:5511900591.
Senders Name:Rebecca Johnson.
Text Question: Are you there?
Answer: Yes.
Amount:$45000.00.
I am waiting for your call once you pick up this USD5,000.00,Please email me your direct telephone number because I need to be calling you once we send any payment for the informations.
Thanks you so much for your cooperation all these month.
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