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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:
- "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. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- "western_transfer_plc@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: "Mr.Edwin Blossom," (may be fake)
Reply-To: <western_transfer_plc@w.cn)>
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 13:47:13 +0100
Subject: WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Attention;
The Board of federal ministry of finance benin republic are hereby to notify you of your payment inherited funds of
$2.500.000.00 Which was Approved After the meeting held on 8th of April 2010. His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF BENIN (DR YAYI BONI) has Instructed this Department to send your funds through western union money transfer for
easy receive of your inherited funds without any further delay to avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on
through Courier Company.
The maximium amount you will be receiving per a day starting from tomorrow is $5,000) Also your are required by this
Department to send us the sum of $115.00 dollar for Re-newing and Re-comfirming Of your file that was deposited in this
office with your name and address below .
Receiver Name-----------
Country----------------------
City---------------------------
Your id copy-------------------
Tel----------------------------
Test question------------
Answer---------------------
For further procedure get back to us urgently with your information above where to start sending the money Because As soon
the required fee of $115 .00 is received today for the renewing & recomfirming the payment file of your funds you will start
receiving your funds as from tomorrow.
Send the $115 dollar through western union with the name and address below:
Receiver Name: Mr BOMEN JAMES.
Country; Benin Republic
City; Cotonou
Address; St, Peter & Paul Road Cotonou Benin Rep.
Text Question; How Much?
Answer; $115.00)
Sender's Name........
MTCN..........................
We await to receive the western union payment informations today Included your Address where to start sending the money.
Yours in service
Mail;(western_transfer_plc@w.cn)
MR TONY EBUBE
Western Union Benin
Republic Manager
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Anti-fraud resources:
