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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: "MR Mark james." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrjohneke_atm303@live.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2011 11:06:58 +0100
Subject:

Western Union®
Welcome to Western Union
Send Money Worldwide
Western Union®
Money TRANSFER,
Worldwide
Dear ,
There is an issue with the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the amount of $10.500.000.00 USD directed in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03, at the owner of this email address. The INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND contacted us for your compensation a couple of hours ago, due to your allocated security code. The Monetary Fund indicated that your funds should be allotted to you in an email address instead of a name, to avoid diversion of payment. We are unable to complete a transfer directed at an email address, so we require that you provide us with the below requested details, so as to proceed with the remittance of your payment to avoid any further
FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS AND AGE:
MODE OF PAYMENT:
INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT/DRIVERS LICENSE:
In order to resolve this and have your funds remitted as soon as possible, please email via Western Union Solicitors Fund Verification Department on: {mrjohneke_atm303@live.com} As soon as this information is received, and you have complied with the requirements of payment of the Western Union Charges ($400), payment will be made on your preferred mode of payment with no delay.
Note; You will be responsibe for the only fee needed for the completion of the remittance of your funds.
THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER, HEAD OFFICE DISPATCHED THIS DAY 10-10-2010
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
 
MR Mark james. call +234 81388 01882
www.westernunion.co.uk
Western Union Payments

Anti-fraud resources: