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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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Dennis Special Transfer Unit" <unitspecialtransfer@rocketmail.com>
Reply-To: specialtransferunit@auditores.com
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 06:26:36 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Are you there
My previous email is so simple and self explanatory.I think i made everything clear for your understanding.So i want you to do anything you can to get the balance $189 USD to enable you to pick up your payment.I am much concerned about your financial difficulties but that does not make any difference.If you real want to regain your life and say bye to poverty,the opportunity has come.Only to get the $189 USD and enjoy the rest of your or keep complaining and continue living in poverty.If you miss this opportunity,i don't believe you will have such opportunity again.I pray that you get will it soon and receive your fund to be Kindly take good care of yourself.
Do let me know once you send the money.This is to intimate you of a very important information which will be of a great help to redeem you from all the difficulties you have been experiencing in getting your long over due payment.
As soon as you send the balance fee your first payment will be release to you immediately and at the same time you will go to the nearest western union in you location and pick it up. I want you be rest assure that your release transfer will be taking place by once the fee is confirmed to this office and you should quit from delaying and focus on how to receive your fund and what you are going to achieve with your money ok.At the other hand i gave you my word that this is the last fee payment for this transaction and there will be no any additional or extra fee to be require after this Us$189,I hope that i make myself very clear and will be looking forward to receive the payment information as soon as you receive this message you are expected to send this payment via western union money transfer through cashier 1 of the International Banking Section as stated below
1. Receiver Name: =======Mr.Onyi Agbudu
2. Country: ========== Benin Republic. And City Cotonou.
3. Question=============Honest?
4. Answer: =============Trust.
5. Amount: =============$189
6. Mtcn Number=============
7. Sender’s Name=============
8. Senders Tel phone number=========
May the Lord Our God give you the foresight and foreknowledge to understand grace,the Peace of God be with you.
Awaiting your immediate response.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr.Dennis Harry
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Anti-fraud resources:
