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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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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: PAUL BEN <paullben1949@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 13:37:12 +0000
Subject: STILL AWAITING TRANSFER DETAILS FROM YOU..
Below are information in which you are required to make this payment.
You are to locate any WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER AGENT location and ask them for payment form or simply put payment slip, that you are sending money abroad and effect payment following details below.
Name Of Receiver: Malawy Bruce
Address Of Receiver: Edo State Nigeria.
After you have made the transfer, you are to make sure that the below information is sent to me via email:
Sender's Name:
Sender's Address:
Amount Sent:
MTCN(Money Transfer Control Number):
Text Question And Answer:
As soon as the payment for the activation of your transfer of US$10,000.00 is made you will then be able to visit the nearest Western Union outlet close to you and confirm the payment and be able to have it picked up.
Thanks for your understanding and co-operation in this issue.
Regards
Mr.Ben Paul
Outlet Manager
Western Union Money Transfer Outlet.
NOTE: THE ACTIVATION TIME IS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:00AM--6:00PM NIGERIA
TIME (LONDON TIME).
_________________________________________________________________
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