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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 OFFICE <lindawilliam044@superposta.com>
Reply-To: western_union0555@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:47:51 +0800 (CST)
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL MESSAGE FROM WESTERN UNION




CHARTERED BANK
Address: No 1/6 st Akpapa Segbeya.
Benin Republic West Africa
Phone +229-98-21-12-97
E.mail:(western_union0555@yahoo.fr)

Dear Customer.
We are happy to inform you that US$1.200,000,00 was transferred to this bank two days ago on your name for onward remittance to you through western union payment due to your inability to receive the total funds from bank to bank transfer and to avoid more delays or the request for one document or the other .We have already wired the first US$5000,00 to you right now, Down here is the payment information except Question and answer and remaining 4 digit of the MTCN
 
Sender's Name:......... Clarence Peters
Control-MTCN:........... 075124....
Amount sent:........ $5000.00
 
But the directors of this payment says that you will have to update/renew your file for the payment before we will give you the full information to pickup the money , The total money on your name here is US$1.200,000,00 .We will be sending $5,000.Usd Twice a day to you everyday untill the payment is completed.
 
The update /renewal of your file here will cost you $88.00 only .Please You are advice to adhere to this directive so that we can meet up with the time scheduled for the sending $10,000,00 to you everyday untill you receive the total US$1.200,000.00,Please don't go for pick up untill I give you the question/answer and remaining 4 digit of MTCN.
Get back to me so I can give you the name you will send the $75.00 to us here in Republic of Benin .
 
You can call me for more details :
Sincerely Regards

MR.PIUS JERRY
DIRECTOR OF OPERATION
CHARTERED  BANK PLC
Phone +229-98-21-12-97
E.mail:(western_union0555@yahoo.fr)

Anti-fraud resources: