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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. )
- "westernunuion-transferdepts1@dgoh.org" (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: Western union
Reply-To: <westernunuion-transferdepts2@dgoh.org>
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2015 08:21:39 +0100
Subject: Welcome to western union
Good morning
This is to officially informed you that we have concluded arrangements
to effect your pending payment of $1.5 million USD through WESTERN UNION Swift
Money transfer services today,the maximum amount you will be
receiving every day starting from today is $5,000 according
your state/country's international financial transfer regulation
as reflected in our transfer system daily until the funds is
completely transferred.
This special arrangement is being used to avoid all scrupulous demands
by both the states and federal authorities that have previously
delayed your payment till date; we shall need your maximum
co-operation to ensure that strictness and confidence is maintained to
avoid any further delays.
The above arrangement has been endorsed by UNITED NATION
(UN),INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) given credence that this
transaction is devoid of any form of illegality.
Please contact the Accredited WESTERN UNION Agent for the details of
your first payment of $5,000 according your state or country's
international financial transfer regulation and reconfirm your
current details that you wish the first transfer $5000 to be program
with, such as Receivers Name, destination where you will like the
transfer to be send to and your cell phone number for urgent
communication if the need arise.
Fill your details below for reference purposes:
NAME OF CUSTOMER:
ADDRESS:
COUNTRY:
OCCUPATION:
DIRECT PHONE NUMBER:
Text Question:
Answer:
All the documents had been obtained therefore the only charge you have to send to western union is logistic charge of 165$.
upon your acceptance we will give you the contact information of Mr.Aku Mike
the Electronic Transfer officer of WESTERN UNION MONEY
TRANSFER for immediate programming of your first transfer:
Name:Mr.Aku Mike
Mobile:+229 62-366-844
Email: westernunuion-transferdepts1@dgoh.org
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Anti-fraud resources:
