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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "wunionservicebf1@voila.fr" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: MARIAM KAITA <mariamlovelygirl.1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wunionservicebf1@voila.fr
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2015 00:22:46 +0100
Subject: CALL HIM WITH THIS NUMBER Tel +226 67385235
Dear Friend in lord,
IT IS MUCH URGENT PLS
This is to notify you that I have deposited your fund ($200,000.00usd)
with the western union to be transferred to you. They told me that
they will be sending the sum of $5000.00usd to you everyday until the
total sum is completed; this is western union maximum sending here in
my country.
Below is the information to your first payment of the $5000.00usd.
You can track it and confirm the MTCN ready to pick up by clicking on
(www.westernunion.com).
Sender's name: Alester Midori
Text question: Boy
Text answer: Girl
Mtcn: 220-181-5651
Once, you pick it you should try to let them know so that they can
send you another payment.
Contact the western union office;
Director name; Dr James Andrew.
Email:( wunionservicebf1@voila.fr)
Telephone:+226 67 38 52 35
You should not hesitate to let me know whenever you receive your fund.
Regards
Mrs Marriam
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