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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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "westerninon@hosanna.net" (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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Micheal Vincent <micheal.vicent@verizon.net>
Reply-To: westerninon@hosanna.net
Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 17:29:36 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Good Day News?
Good Day News?
My name is Mr.Eileen Peter am from western union office Benin Republic i want to inform your that am news manager in this office now but i see your fill payment here and i asking director in this office he told me that your did want to received your fund,buti want your to understand me well please right now am going to help your to transfer your total fund which is (950)
Adivce i will transfer the fund through western union money transfer and am going to renasfer it by every day $3000 untill your received your total fund complete ,Right now there is one thing i need from your before the transfer will stater i want to opne new account for use transfer your payment and to opne the account will cost your $66 daller only and after opne account your first payment which is $3000 will give to your immeditaely with any problem,
Meanwhile i will like your to send the money today so that once i pick up the money i will give MTCN and your will pick it in any western union in your country so send it and remeanber my promise to your once i received the money i will opne account and do what i told your am waiting to received the $66 only and once your send the money send me your test qustion and answer so i will transfer first payment to your,
Here is the information were to send the $66 only
RECEIVER’S NAME……………Mr Obi Maxwell
COUNTRY………….REPUBLIC OF BENIN
CITY…………….COTONOU
TEXT QUESTION……….For What Â
ANSWER…………….Opne Account
MTCN……….
SENDER’S NAME………….
So am wait for you once you received this mail and reply me urgent
Â
contact Mr.Eileen Peter
(westerninon@hosanna.net)
tell phne nuber +229 99869143,
God Blessing you with you Family
Thank you
Micheal Vincent
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