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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. )
- "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "hundred thousand us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "westerunionoffice@e-mail.ua" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Mike Amanna" <interairspacemail@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westerunionoffice@e-mail.ua
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2012 15:59:00 +0100
Subject: Alert
>From desk of Mr. Mike Amanna
Foreign operations department,
Our ref: FMB/FMF/2008/FNG
We are writing in respect to your unclaimed lotto winning prize of
US$1.5million (One million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars only)
which you won through the email-ballot draws. We wish to inform you
that your total prize money of US$1.5million has been scheduled for
payment Via Western Union Money Transfer System after our initial
letter to you was not replied.
According to the demands of western union money transfer you are to
receive your fund at the installment rate of $5,000.00 daily until the
US$1.5million is completely transferred to you accordingly. You are to
contact western union money transfer now with the bellow information
to avoid wrong transaction.
Reconfirm your address
(1)Your Full name:
(2)Your Phone number:
(3)Your Contact address:
(4)Your Age:
(5) Your occupation:
Please do provide the above information accurately, because we cannot
afford to be held liable for any wrong transfer of funds.
Please contact the underlined head claims officer with the Contact info below
Mr. Keku Johnson
Email: westerunionoffice@e-mail.ua
Note: that we have tried to contact you but all effort failed and I
had to send you mail on this email address which I guessed belongs to
you.
Best regards,
Mr. Mike Amanna
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