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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.
- 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.
- wester_union1168@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "scott" <scott@montgomeryprint.com>
Reply-To: wester_union1168@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2013 06:32:58 -0400
Subject: THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 2013)
Attn: Our Esteem Customer
Congratulations that i borrowed $29.00 yesterday after service from my Pastor in the church. then amount you have to send now is only $29.00 but i don't see the reason you have to keep silent on me, is it because of the money? any way their is good news that i raise some money to use help you out and make sure that your payment will be release to you within 3hours after you send the renaming $29.00 as i want it.
I know it is because of your past experience that make you not to believe me but I told you before my God who is my wittiness that I cannot deceive you because my bible says what shall it profit a man to gain material things and loose your soul. I told you earlier just drop your old experience and follow my instruction a man of God and you will know what it means to follow somebody that fear God.
Honestly I am just disappointed at your behaviors before because you know that I am man of God and cannot deceive you. Just pay the $29.00 and leave rest for me watching me if I am telling you lies.
Your payments is already approval today for you to receive it but the management here says that you must pay $29.00 for the paper and signature charge before you can receive the payment today.please send the charge through western union immediately.
I swear If I fail to release your payment within 3hours after you send the $29.00 as I promise don,t count on me again, I cannot fail you, I promise you. Don’t fear as soon as you sent the $29.00 today please leave the rest to me and see if I am lie to you or not because I can not use my life swear because of $29.00 How can I swear against my life because of this small amount, it is to show you that I am telling you the truth?
1RECEIVER NAME=====Mr. UZOMAH LAWRENCE
2.COUNTRY==¾NIN REPUBLIC/
3 CITY COTONOU
3.QUESTION======new year
4.ANSWER====== 12
5.AMOUNT=======$29.00
I am waiting to hear from you with the payment detail with this e-mail address :( wester_union1168@hotmail.com )
MTCN NO
SENDER NAME?
GOD BLESS YOU
MR JOHN ONYX.
WESTERN UNION HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT
REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE
e-mail address :( wester_union1168@hotmail.com )
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Anti-fraud resources:
