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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:
- "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. )
- "western.union.money.transfer@av.tc" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "western.union.money.transfer@av.tc" (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.
- 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: johneze112@ciudad.com.ar
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:21:33 -0300 (GMT-03:00)
Subject: Good Day
Good Day
My working partner has helped me to send your first payment $6000 to you and here is the information.
MTCN: 950845608
SENDER NAME:Mr. mark john,
Text Question:In God
Answer: We Trust
track it now with(western.union.money.transfer@av.tc).
I told him to keep sending you $5000 daily until the payment of ($1.5) is completed and again forward them your Telephone number,Full Name, Your Country and adress so that they will be sure.Please,contact: Mr MARK JAMES to the below E-mail(western.union.money.transfer@av.tc) and Phone. +229-98679345. Contact person.
DR. JOHN EZE
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Anti-fraud resources:
