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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. )
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mathewwestunambassador@yahoo.ca (Yahoo, Canada; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.William Jones" <deliveryservice.peter59@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mathewwestunambassador@yahoo.ca
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:03:25 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Attn:ATM Code 0223 Beneficiary
Â
Â
FROM DIAMOND BANK PLC BENIN
REPUBLIC
ADDRESS;308 rue du Reveerend Pere Colineau, Cotonou.
RE:IMMEDIATE
ATM VISA CARD PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Â
Â
Attn:ATM Code 0223
Beneficiary,
Â
This is to acknowledge the receipt of the order
from the Federal Ministry of Finance, in respect with the provision act of
decree 114 of the 1999 constitution; I am directed to inform you that your
payment verification and confirmations is correct. Therefore, we are happy to
inform you that arrangements have been concluded to effect your payment as soon
as possible and in our bid to transparency.
 It is my pleasure to inform
you that ATM Card Number; 4336468976456354 have been approved in your favor.
Your Personal Identification Number is 2120. The ATM Card Value is (US$2.5
Million). You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of $2,500.00 USD is
permitted on withdrawal per Day and we are doing Inter Switch and you can make
withdrawal in any Inter Switch location and ATM Center of your choice.
As
stated in with Mr.Robert S Mueller's Email to you the delivery charges is only
$68.00. As soon as payment is confirmed we shall immediately dispatch your ATM
Card Package and email you with the International Sea Air Diplomatic Courier
(ISADC) tracking numbers so you can be able to track your package online and
know when to be at your home address to receive it. Please be informed that the
ATM Card and the Pin-Code would be enclosed in the envelope and you can make
withdrawals from the moment you receive the package.
I hope you make the
payment of $68.00 available to this office using western union money transfer
with my secretary's information as stated below:
Receiver Name: Okolo
Augustine
Country:Â Benin Republic
City:Â
Cotonou
Question: A?
Answer:Â B
Amonut:Â
US$68.00
MTCN:.....
Â
As soon as you make the payment send an email
with the Western Union Payment information to me so that we can proceed to
dispatching your package without wasting time. Be rest assured that your $68.00
is the only payment you will have to make for the delivery of the ATM Card and
nothing more.
I promise and I swear to God almighty that this amount
will be the only money you have to send till you receive the ATM CARD and if I
ask you to send another money after this $68.00 or fail to deliver your ATM CARD
as I promised now let God almighty take my life. Now you can go ahead and send
the money so that we will register your package for immediate delivery once we
receive deliver charges, below the information to contact (mathewwestunambassador@yahoo.ca) but make sure
that you send the $68.00 immediately to avoid any delay okay.
I wish you
good luck.
Yours in service
William Jones.
I am looking forward to hear
from you once you receive this mail today with western union payment
information’s.
Â
Mr.William Jones
Call us immediately you send the money
Â
                              Â
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Anti-fraud resources:
