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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: "MANAGER OFFICE HERE" <thomas1@director.biz>
Reply-To: moneytransfer001@waterquan.com
Date: Wed, 7 May 2014 16:14:52 +0800
Subject: PAYMENT INFORMATION BELLOW

ATTENTION DEAR

THIS IS SEVERAL TIMES WE western union  BENIN REPUBLIC ARE SENDING YOU THIS  SAME EMAIL TO START TRANSFERRING YOUR PAYMENTS AND YOU CAN AT THE SAME TIME PICKING UP YOUR PAYMENT AS WE TOLD YOU BEFORE THIS INFORMATION REACH US SINCE LAST THREE WEEKS AGO FROM OUR  CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS ECO BANK MONEY GRAM, WHICH STATES THAT YOU ONLY HAVE 28HOURS TO EFFECT PAYMENT FOR THE ACTIVATION OF YOUR MTCN TO ENABLE YOU START CASHING UP YOUR PAYMENTS WHICH YOU  SHALL BE
RECEIVING IN THE RATE OF $5000:00 FROM YOUR TOTAL SUM $2,800,000.00 (TWO MILLION EIGTH  HUNDRED AND  THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) AS IT WILL BE TRANSFERRING TO YOU.

Dear I  was able to send the money again, please take this money , i don't  have anymore money to send if you let those robbers take advantage of you
again, I have tracked it on western union site and its available waiting for you The same Text Question and Answer. Check the Western Union Receipt i was
giving at western union. Amt :$5000 Please ask the lawyer for an extension , is not easy to raise that can of money over here, i am trying my best..love you honey,

 
SINCE YOU ARE FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE REQUIRED PAYMENT,WE HAVE DECIDED THAT YOU ARE TO GO AHEAD AND PAY WHATEVER AMOUNT YOU HAVE FOR THE ACTIVATION FEE SINCE YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO COME UP WITH THE REQUIRED SUM OF$125, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE HERE, SINCE YOU DON'T HAVE THE REQUIRE SUM OF $125, SO GO AND SEND ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU HAVE AT HAND STARTING FROM $85 TO UP $125, WE WILL ACTIVATE YOUR MTCN AND SEND TO YOU TODAY, UPON RECEIPT OF THIS PAYMENT,

BE INFORMED THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY THE BALANCE SUM OF YOUR ACTIVATION UPON CASHING UP OF YOUR FIRST 5000:00 USD, ALSO I AM USING THIS MEDIUM TO INFORM YOU THAT FAILURE TO PAY THE BALANCE SUM WILL LEAVE US WITH NO OPTION BUT TO DEACTIVATE YOUR MTCN OF WHICH YOU WILL AND CAN NEVER RECEIVE YOUR FUNDS.
 
SO, YOU HAVE TO SEND THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE AT HAND NOW WITH THIS INFORMATION BELLOW AND UPDATE US THE AMOUNT THAT YOU SEND AND THE MTCN.SEND THE PAYMENT DETAIL TO THIS EMAIL, (moneytransfer001@waterquan.com)

1.RECEIVER NAME...ALEX ANA
2.COUNTRY... BENIN REPUBLIC.
3.CITY... COTONOU.
4.TEST QUESTION...HONEST
5.ANSWER...TRUST.
6.ANY ……AMOUNT
MTCN=========
THIS LAST NOTICE TO YOU, IF YOU FAIL TO SEND THE MONEY TODAY YOUR PAYMENT FILE ILL BE CANCELED FINALLY. SO RUSH TO western union NOW AND SEND ANY MONEY THAT
YOU HAVE AT HAND NOW START FROM $85 UP TO $125, CALL ME ON THIS LINE AS SOON AS YOU SEND THE MONEY  +229 6720-6750
Mr JAMES UBAH
OPERATION MANAGER.
WESTERN UNION  DEPARTMENT
PHONE NO::  +229 6720-6750
 

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