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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <westerrnunion001@yahoo.com.vn>
Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 00:57:52 -0700
Subject: Western union department ;

Attention,

After proper and several investigations and research at Western Union and Money Gram Office, we found your name in Western Union database amongst
those that have sent money through Western Union to Nigeria and this proves that you have truly been swindled by those unscrupulous persons by
sending money to them through Western Union/Money Gram in the course of getting one fund or the other that is not real, right now we are working
hand in hand with Western Union to track every fraudsters down, do not respond to their e-mails, letters and phone calls any longer as they are
scams and you should be very careful to avoid being a victim to fraudsters any longer because they have nothing to offer you but to rip-off
what you have worked earnestly hard to earn.

In this regard a meeting was held between the Board of Directors of The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)/FBI representatives and
as a consequence of our investigations it was agreed that the sum of six Hundred Thousand US Dollars (US$600,000.00) should be transferred to
you out of the funds that Federal Government of Nigeria has set aside as a compensation to everyone who by one way or the other sent money to
fraudsters in Nigeria.

***Please note that we will no longer be liable for any loss, cost or expense whatsoever, suffered or incurred by You in connection with the
fraudsters. Be warned! We have deposited your fund at Western Union Money Transfer agent location EMS Post office Lagos, Nigeria.
We have submitted your details to them so that your fund can be transferred to you and We have also insured your fund to avoid misappropriation.

Contact the Western Union agent office through the email addresses stated below;
Contact Person : Mr.Roy Moore
Email: westerrn.union001@yahoo.com.vn

Yours sincerely,

Tara Lamorde
Investigation Officer.
******************************************************************************************************************
Please note that e-mails, letters and phone calls are currently been made to unsuspecting persons by fraudsters
claiming to have access to their funds.
Everyday, people throughout the world are falling victim to scams of one way or the other. It could be an
unexpected prize draw or lottery win, or a chance to invest in an exciting new money-making or investment programme.
In the circumstance, we unreservedly advice you to dissociate yourself from all correspondence and transactions
entered into based on evidently fraudulent and fictitious claims.
**************************************************************************** **************************************

Anti-fraud resources: