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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. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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: contactwunion@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2010 19:01:05 -0800 (PST)
Subject: AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP
  Send
Money WorldwideÂ
Â
ATTENTION; BENEFICIARY
Â
We receive an other today from the
Presidency to transfer the
sum of $10,000.00 to you, i want you to know that we have transfer the
sum of $5,000.00 to you today below is the payment information.
Â
MTCN: 9516066143
Sender’s
First Name: Edwin
Sender’s
Last Name: Onyibor
Test Question: What
Answer:
Who
Â
You can check the availability of
the money at the Western
Union website which is:
Â
https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global
Â
We want you
to know that the money is available for pickup but you cannot pick up
the money because you have not pay for the transfer which is $400 before
the fund will be activated you would have to pay the fee with this
information listed below.
Â
Receivers
Name: Chuks Gabriel
Text Question: Who is Great?
Answer: God
Destination: Lagos/Nigeria
Â
Note that
you will have to pay the fee within 24hours unless your fund will be
canceled.
Â
THE
MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION
MONEY TRANSFER, OFFICE NIGERIA
BRANCH.
Â
BEST
REGARDS,
Edwin Onyibor
Â
Western
Union Payments
 As We
Focus On Making
A
Difference
In People's
Lives, People Focus On Western
Â
Union And Acknowledge The Possibilities We Offer To
Edwin Onyibor
   Â
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Anti-fraud resources:
