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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. )
- "w.uniontransfer03@skymail.mn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "jen" <jen@financialai.com>
Reply-To: w.uniontransfer03@skymail.mn
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:06:54 -0500
Subject: Your payment notification
Attention: Customer
This is to notify you about the latest development concerning your western
union money transfer hence; our western union Head office is now offering a
Special bonus for month of January to help all our customers that are having
their funds in our custody due to high price of the fee. In order words we are
now requesting that you should pay only the sum of $98.00 to enable us
activate your transfer file Besides my dear (Customer), this is the
opportunity for you to comply and you can start receive your funds through
this western union money transfer office.
Note that after (next week) you did not make the payment then we will divert
your funds to Government Treasury, or we will cancel your transfer again after
(Note that after (next week) We will enter A new project for the year and that
is the reason why we decided to help all our customers with their outstanding
payments before we enter into the new project.
Be advised to send the $98.00 immediately to enable us register your transfer
online without any delay .and make sure you send the balance of $250.00 to us
once you receive your transfer Send the $98.00 through western union Transfer
with the information below,
RECEIVER'S NAME==== NKECHIKWULU CHINEDU
COUNTRY====== BENIN REPUBLIC.
CITY========= COTONUO
TEXT QUESTION==== HOW ARE YOU
ANSWER====== FINE
AMOUNT=======$98.00
You advice to send your payment information to our e-mail below
(w.uniontransfer03@skymail.mn) Phone: +234-818-679-4002
As Bellow;
SENDER'S NAME............
MTCN.............
The moment we receive the payment of $98.00 we will activate your file and
have your funds transfer to you within 3 hours and send the information that
you will use to pick it up call +234-818-679-4002 ok
I wish you good luck.
Yours in service
(Regards)
(MR.AMED JIM) Officer in charge!!!
TELL: +234-818-679-4002
Address. 455 Nabokov, Napa Road Cotonuo
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