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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. )
- "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.
- westernunion.officebeninrepublic@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Gibson Miller <amarabello@sify.com>
Reply-To: westernunion.officebeninrepublic@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:32:34 +0530 (IST)
Subject: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
ADDRESS:#26/28B MISSEBO MKT RD COTNONOU CITY
BENIN REPUBLIC
TEL:(+229)-97-268-138
EMAIL:( westernunion.officebeninrepublic@yahoo.fr )
TO ALL OUR NEW AND OLD CUSTOMERS;Â
This is to notify all our new and Old Customers about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left in our custody, which you are inclusive. Besides, you where given a bill of $297, in order to receive your payment of which we didn’t hear from you for sometime now......
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Hence, our Western Union is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our customers that are having their payment in our custody due to of prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of $77.00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.
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Besides, this is the opportunity for you and has to comply and your funds shall be send to your address. But remember that after (3 DAYS) and you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to Government Reserve to avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this year until next year because this year is not like last year Bonanza
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Again after (THREE DAYS) we will enter a new project for the year and that is the reason why we decided to help all our customers before we enter into the new project. So be advising you to send the $77.00 immediately to our Western Union office address( westernunion.officebeninrepublic@yahoo.fr ) so that we will register your payment file and to start sending you $4200 as from tomorrow. Be advised that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone unless you will call our help Line (+229)-97-268-138. After the payment of $77.00 you will start receiving your Funds install mentally $4200.00 every day through Western Union. You can send the $77.00 through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below, Receivers: Ofo Mike
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Address: Address: #26B Missebo Mkt Rd Cotonou
Text Question:Transfer Code
Text Answer:001
Senders Name & Phone Number..........
Senders Country/City.................
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The moment we receive the payment of $77 we will release the first payment information of $4200 immidiately to you and you will pick up the money and the next payment will be send to you by tomorrow Best Regard
(+229)-97-268-138.
Mr Gibson Miller
The Operator Manager
Western Union Office
Missebo Branch
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