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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Johnson Bello " <Johnson. hassy373@lime.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr.Johnson Bello " <westernumf621@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2015 07:22:58 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dear Customer ,
Dear Customer ,
The SUCCESS and FAILURE of this fund transfer LIES SQUARELY in your hands now, so give this transfer all the attention it deserves so that we can achieve the desired goal.
Note you will start receiving your first pay-out of $500.00 today as soon as you send us the requested fee $165 USD to enable us get affidavit on claim of ownership and fix the payment with your name and location as soon as the reactivation is done to prevent illegal transfer of your funds or any form of hindrance.
Below is the information you will use to send the requested fee of $165.00.
Receiver...................... ..... Loko Obi
City.......................... .........COTONOU
Country....................... .....REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
Question...................... .....IN GOD
Answer........................ ....WE TRUST
Amount ...........................$165
MTCN/Ref...................... ...............
Kindly look for any western union or Money Gram outlet nearest to you and make the transfer to enable us complete your payment today.
Wishing you a Great Week with your family and loved ones while expecting a positive response from you shortly.
Yours in service,
Mr.Johnson Bello
Tel:+22998410392
WESTERN UNION REMITTANCE DEPT
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Anti-fraud resources:
