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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:
- "transfer cost" (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. )
- "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. )
- "million us dollars" (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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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: "Agent Dr.Susan Douglas" <officiamails2015@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Agent Dr.Susan Douglas" <mrssusandouglas380@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2015 19:22:57 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Mr.Bonda Sheriff This man claimed to be your representative and this power of attorney stated that you are dead
Attention:
Â
A power of attorney was forwarded
to our office this morning by one  gentle man and he is a citizen from
united state of America and his  name is Mr.Bonda Sheriff This man
claimed to be your representative and this power of attorney  stated
that you are dead after brief illness and he brought your  information
to replace your information in other to claim your fund of  $2.5million
us dollars which is now lying dormant and unclaimed, below  are the new
information he have submitted and he also told that you
 explain to him that he will pay for the transfer cost fee of $95 which
 you suppose to pay before you failed into sick bed.
        Â
Be further informed that this power of attorney also stated that you
suffered and died of a throat cancer. You are therefore given 24hrs to
confirm the truth in this information, if you are still alive, You are
to contact us back immediately, Because we work 24 hrs just to ensure
that we Monitor all the activities going on in regards to the transfer
of beneficiary’s inheritance and contract payment.
Â
You are to call this office immediately for clarifications on this matter
as we shall be available 24 hrs to speak with you and give
you the necessary guidelines on how to ensure that your payment is wired to you immediately and also be inform that any further delay from your
side could be dangerous, as we would not be held
responsible for any wrong payment. Contact us as soon as possible if you are truly alive as we have his identification and residence he provides for us to wired the payment to him.
Â
Below is the WESTERN UNION Money gram information to direct the payment of $95.00usd only.
Â
 Receiver Name Sudran Ella
 Country Benin Republic
 City Cotonou
 Test Question God
 Test Answer is with us
 Amount $95.00usd only
 Mtcn number
Â
 Thank You,
Agent Dr.Susan Douglas
 Atlantic City
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Anti-fraud resources:
