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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. )
- "million 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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: Frank Xavier <costumercare999@gmail.com>
Reply-To: western_union303@live.com
Date: Sun, 26 Jun 2016 14:43:34 -0700
Subject: Dear Customer/ Reply Within 48 hours!
Good day,
I am Mr. Frank Xavier, Chief Executive Officer and President of The
Western Union & Money Gram Company, this letter is to notify you about
your compensation as one of the scam victim that sent money via our
service (Western Union & Money Gram Transfer) to fraudsters.
We found your name and email address in our data base that is why we
are contacting you. This has been agreed and approved by Mr. James
Comey Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to
compensate you with the sum of ($1.5 Million Dollars) as one of the
scam victim.
You are here by advised to acknowledge this mail and help us to
re-confirm your identity for security reasons. Furnish us with the
below data for easier transfer of your fund through our service
Western Union or Money Gram Transfer depending on the method you will
prefer out of the two listed on our email.
1. Your full Name:
2. Your current cell phone Number:
3. Your City: .....
4. Your: Country:
5. Your Current Age.....
6. Your Occupation:
Kindly acknowledge the receipt of this email as soon as you receive it.
Mr. Frank Xavier.
Executive Board Director Of
Western Union & Money Gram.
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Anti-fraud resources:
