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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union Money Transfer" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <david02@post.ro>
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:31:23 -0500
Subject: ATTN:SIR/MADAM,

ATTN:SIR/MADAM,

Based on the instruction passed to this Western Union department from the office of the Presidency, your total sum of US$1.6 Million Dollars can only be paid through this Western Union Money Transfer Department of Nigeria.This is to help us check-mate all the Fraudlent activities going on here in Nigeria and Africa at large. You shall be paid bit by bit until your total sum is completely received paid to right at the Counter of Western Union right in your country.

After a meeting that was held in the office of the Presidency in regards to this, we have agreed to pay you a total of US$10,000.00 in every Seven Hours (7hours) until the funds is completely paid as agreed in today's meeting.
Below is the Money Control Number(MTCN):9445843889
For verification Kindly call our International service number +18003256000 or 8003256000 and follow the voice prompt,then insert the control number above to hear the availability of your funds ready for pick up,or visit our official web site www.westernunion.com ,find TRACKING on the top right of the site page,and kindly insert accordingly this detail John Famous and 9445843889 following the instructions bellow
Money Transfer Control Number:9445843889
Sender First Name: John
Sender Last Name: Famous
Check Status
AND CLICK ON CHECK STATUS

I am Mr.Goodwill Egobia ,after the failure of the Agent assigned to deliver your ATM card,for reason aligned with the British high commission and other bodies,I was ordered from the office of the President to make your payment swiftly via this medium, you will be receiving $10.000 usd every seven hours,from the above control number till your payment is completed.

I request that you send to me your full receiving names for your payment and an activation fee of $250 only for the names to be activated to the officer in charge at the counter here in Nigeria as you make the payment we shall activate the names you have given us to enable you receive your first installmental payment of $10,000 accordingly,this control number(9445843889 )
should be kept total secret for your own security,to avoid any further problems which you have experienced in the past,make the payment today and start receiving your money.

You can call me for more verifications in this matter: +234 813-477-9191

Congratulation in Advance.

Mr.Goodwill Egobia
WESTERN UNION DIRECTOR

Anti-fraud resources: