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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. )
- "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)
- 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: "Director J. Scott" <hjohnsonscot@westernun.website.tk>
Reply-To: <eng.johnsonscott1@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2016 10:37:23 -0700
Subject: ATM Visa Card is issued to you
Western Union?Welcome to Western Union
Send Money Worldwide
Our Ref:WUMT0XX2/987
Attention
Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer Agent, We wish to inform you that the IMF have released your fund worth of $1,8 million US dollars issued on your name. The money was deposited with us as MTCN credit card since 2 weeks ago. We apologize for the delay. We shall be sending you $5000.00usd everyday until we complete paying you the total fund via online money transfer.
As you can see here is the MTCN Number of your first payment which we credited for you today.
For the Benefit of Doubt, Track it with our website: www.westernunion.com, to confirm that your payment is available.
1)Senders Name:: Holly Waldon
2)MTCN Number::: 7298423178
3)Amount::: $5000.00 USD.
Track it with our website: https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=CN
or you can call this number to confirm the payment of the MTCN Tel: 1-201-987-6762
Note that your first payment of $5000.00usd has been issued and endorsed for transfer, but bare it in mind that you do not yet have full access to the $5000.00usd as authorized except you pay the service charges which is $320.00 only. you have to pay the money through our service western union to the information given below. As soon as the payment of $320usd is confirm, we shall release your first $5000.00usd to enable you pick it up and get back to us for the second payment.
PLEASE CONFIRM AND ONLINE TRACK THE AUTHENTICITY OF YOUR FUND BEFORE ANY REPLY TO ME.
Make sure you send us YOUR full information along with the service charge of $320.00 to release the full transfer details on how to pick up your online first payment. You have to treat this message with urgency by reconfirming your full information to us immediately you receive this massage to enable us start the process of your first and second payment.
This message is valid for 2 weeks as we have been authorized to release your total fund within the period.
1.Your Full Name...
2.Your Address...
3.Your Tel Number....
4.Occupation.......
5.Country....
6.City.........
7.Age..........
Fill the above information correctly and hurry to any western union to make the payment. Don't forget that you have to first settle the transfer charge before we can give the full information of your first payment of $5000.00 usd. We awaits to receive the above information and the fee of $320usd because this is the only delay to your first payment now. Kindly use this information below to send the transfer charge.
Receiver Name: JOY RICO
Country: Benin Republic
City: Porto Novo
Test Question: Code.
Test Answer: today.
Amount to send: $320.00.
Senders Name:.....?
Mtcn Number:......?
We look forward to receive the transfer charge together with your full information to enable us release this first $5000.00usd to you to pick it up and get back to us for the second payment ok. Call OR text +1 201 987 6762
Get Back ASAP.
Yours in Service
Eng. Johnson Scott
Financial Consultant
Western Union Money Transfer
Benin Republic
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