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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:
- 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. )
- 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: =?UTF-8?Q?Sender=E2=80=99s_First_Name=3A_Prosper?= <sendersfirstnameprosper95@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 09:28:05 +0100
Subject: Attention:
Attention:
CONGRATULATION! APPROVED COMPENSATION PAYMENT AWARD OF US$1.5M We
found your email/name in our list and that is why we are contacting
you, This have been agreed upon and have been signed Therefore, we are
happy to inform you that an arrangement has perfectly been concluded
to effect your payment as soon as possible in our bid to be
transparent. However, it is our pleasure to inform you that we have
already sent you USD $5000.00 USD through Western union as we have
been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment
total sum of USD $1.5M via western union by the Federal Ministry of
Finance as approved by the United Nations Compensation Committee
(UNCC) Since western Union maximum limit is $5000.00 we have
programmed your payment for $5000.00 USD per day until you receive the
total sum of $1.5M.
Note: You cannot pick up the funds yet because your name has not yet
been activated as the receiver of the funds. Please pick up below
information and contact the western Union financial officer (Mr. Smith
Bongani ) for immediate activation of your total amount. Below is your
first payment for $5000.00 USD sent today
M.T.C.N: 2666869821
Sender’s First Name: Prosper
Sender’s Last Name: Honvou
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Anti-fraud resources:
