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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 <file99211482@gmail.com>
Reply-To: western.unionoffice027@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:21:21 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Money Transfer Control Number: #3282845453




Attention Please,
According to the instruction passed to this Western Union department from the office Governor of the Central Bank Benin, A total sum of USD$1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars only) Each, has been instructed to be paid to all the people that there funds transfer were stopped withheld or confiscated at the Ecowas office from any of the African Countries,
According to the explanations made, the Central Bank of the Country of Origin of your fund and the Government, have decided to take over the issue of your transfer, to save you from all wire transfer problems you where facing previously.
This is to help us check-mate all the Fraudulent activities going on here in West Africa at large. You shall be paid bit by bit until your total sum is completely receive right from your Counter of any Western Union closest to you. We have been asked to release to you a total of US$5000.00 in every five Hours (5hours) until the funds is completely paid out, as that is the maximum limit we are legally allowed to pay in a particular transaction.
After the failure in the transfer of your fund through other means which may have been made impossible by the European, American or  British high commission and other bodies, I was ordered from the office of the President and the Central Bank Of Benin Republic to make your payment swiftly via this medium, you will  be receiving $5000 usd in every five hours,from the below MTCN number until your payment is completed.
The Following is the Western Union Money Control Number (MTCN):3282845453 for verification Kindly visit our official web site www.westernunion.com Find TRACKING on the top right of the site page,and kindly insert accordingly this detail Alonzo Holmes, and 3282845453 following the instructions below Money Transfer Control Number: #3282845453
Sender first name: AlonzoSender last name HolmesCheck Status      AND CLICK ON CHECK STATUS
Contact us via mail or telephone Mr. John OnyekaContact E-mail: western.unionoffice027@gmail.comPhone: +229 9794 8648  
Provide your full receivers names for the payment and an activation fee of US$75.00 only for the names to be activated to the mtcn number you already have, The required fee should be sent through Western Union or money gram. Upon the receipt of the $75, your receivers name will be activated and redirect the transfer to enable you pick up your first installment payment sum of $5000 immediately. 
You should send the US$75.00 payment information to us through this email western.unionoffice027@gmail.com Note: You can not be able to picking up the money until your Name is activated to the system. HERE IS THE INFORMATION WHICH YOU WILL USE TO SEND THE REQUIRED FEE OF US$75.00 VIA WESTER UNION MONEY TRANSFER OF YOUR CHOICE OR MONEY GRAM CLOSE TO YOU. The Receivers Information For The US$75.00 is as follow:
Receivers name: Ojide Chidi SamuelCity:CotonouCountry:Benin RepublicText Question:To Whom?Answer: SamuelAmount To be send: US$75.00MTCN#.................
Immediately we receives the payment, we shall activate and redirect the information given to you to your name to enable you start receiving your payment immediately. Please Note: this control number{3282845453} should be kept very safe and secret for your own security,to avoid someone else tampering with you funds. Call immediately on this direct phone# +229 9794 8648 for more Details and directives.
We Congratulate you in Advance.Mr. John OnyekaWestern Union Customer Care

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