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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: "Linda G. Eric" <el_jay24@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: ecowestern714@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 12:09:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION FOR Three Million Five hundred Thuosand usd


Attn Dear Friend:
 
Your winning Price of Three Million Five hundred Thuosand usd
($3.5,MILLION USD) has been forwarded to Western Union for immediate
transfer to you Your payment will be sent to you by western Union,the
amount you will receive per day is $6,000.00 (six thousand Dollars)The
Minister Trust Funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently
standards track details you need to pick up your ($6,000) payment by
western union, you will receive every day till you receive the $3.5MILLION
United State Dollars.
 
Now no need to send you this atm card because you can not be able to
withdraw with the atm card due to the atm master card contain large money
on it and is not activated too and many people have received their fund
through this western union which is safer and reliable with less cost.The
Director administrator trust funds have already signed your payment,now
you are free to comply with wemaco payment office on this
email:(ecowestern714@yahoo.com) however, kindly contact the below person
who is in position to release your payment by Western Union per $6,000 a
day. Rev.Emma Walton, Western Union Department
Benin,E-mail:(ecowestern714@yahoo.com) The Western Union Payment Center
has been mandated to issue out your 44@hotmail.frpayment and you have to
stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to
avoid any hitches in receiving your payment.
Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process
your payment:
Receiver name-------------
Country--------------
City----------------
Tel----------------
Test question-------------
Answer----------------
ID________
Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Rev.Emma
Walton, he will start sending your payment by Western Union.And do let me
know immediately you get your money for us to share the joy together.
Best Regards,
Linda G. Eric

Anti-fraud resources: