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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "required fee " (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. )
- "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. )
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- barr.marcelmmelika1@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr. Marcel Mmelika." <officefille1988@gmail.com>
Reply-To: barr.marcelmmelika1@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 01:33:40 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Desk of Barrister Marcel Mmelika
Desk of Barrister Marcel Mmelika
Porto-nova- Republic due Benin
Office Today, Monday Being 05.01.2012
___________________
Attention: Good friend,
HappyNew Year Dear. This is to inform you that your fund was brought to mydesk by the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER BENIN DIRECTOR stated that Ishould signed the documents that back up the diversion of your fund tothe Government Treasury Account reason because you were unable pay thecost of the transfer, As result of the information, I told them to waituntil i hear from you today and know the reason why you refuse tocomply with them by sending to them the required fee and startreceiving your daily payment as it was signed and programmed.
Â
Note;that the reason why I’m applying you with this email message is toinform you that you still have the chance to claim your fund if youcould send the required fee $57.00 today or first thing Monday morningbecause i have already arranged the special courier company which willdeliver your fund to you within 2days with your tracking number to seewhen it will be coming to you, be inform that if you failing to comply,they will have power over your fund and am very sorry if you failed asthis is the last chance you have to received your Fund's.
Â
Pleasehere is the Western Union information in the name of my messenger toavoid delay in receiving your fund and remember that I have done mybest for you and I will make sure that your fund get to your hand as Ihave promise and assured you if your comply and build your trust onme. Do forward the payment information as soon as you are done withthe payment.
Â
Receivers Name:Â Â Mmarcel Mmelika
Country:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Benin Republic
City Address:Â Â Â Â COTONOU
Text Question:Â Â Â When to Pick Up?
Text Answer:Â Â Â Â Â Immediately
Amount:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $57.00
MTCN #:.................
Sender's Name...........
Â
I shall await your urgent response once you are done with the payment today.
Sign and Approved
Barrister Marcel Mmelika.
Email: barr.marcelmmelika1@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
