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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:

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Henry Marlick <westernunionbenin3@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:35:36 -0700
Subject: Available for pick up by receiver

*Dear Customer,*

*The management of western union money transfer in Benin, wishes you best
in*
*life, the western union have added effort to transfer your funds which was*
*deposited with us by international monetary fund head due to your e-mail*
*address was found on scam victim list..The $3.700,000usd stands as
compensation*
*to you, we have build better service in beginning of this year in order to
give*
*you best of our service. After we received your information, we instantly*
*transfer the two first payments of $5,000 which is total of $10,000:00 in
your*
*name.*

*We already sent the first $5000 now but it was place on hold pending when
you*
*pay your reactivate Transfer Files Fee Official price of $58 only.*

*https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderstatus.asp?country=global
<https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderstatus.asp?country=global>*
*You are required to paste and track the above website and confirm the
readiness*
*of your payment, which is Available for pick up by receiver which is you.*

*Here is the information's of the $5000 your first payout;*

*MTCN number is: 8916645953 Available for pick up by receiver*
*Sender First Name: BASIL*
*Sender Last Name: UDEH*
*Amount : $5000*

*Presently, the above payment is on hold pending when you pay your Transfer*
*Files reactivating fee of $58 only.*

*Send the $58 through Western Union Or MONEY GRAM now with the name and
info's*
*stated below.*

*RECEIVER FIRST NAME:..........SAMUEL*
*RECEIVER LAST NAME:...........ADILI*
*COUNTRY.......................Benin Republic.*
*City..........................Cotonou*
*Text Question:................What Year*
*Answer........................2016*
*Amount........................$58*

*After sent the money kindly fill the below details for pick up"*

*Reference# Number.......*
*Sender's name.......*
*Sender's address......*

*As quick as we receive the $58 today your first $5000 will be release on
hold*
*for your collection from any of our numerous Western Union outlets in your*
*current location, meanwhile congratulation in advance.*

*We advice you to hurry up to avoid the payment details will not be
de-activated*
*because of security reasons and to avoid interference into your payment
details*
*online.*

*We are here to serve you better. call our 24 hours Helpline @
+229-6277-1769,*
*for any inquiries on the above message.*

*I awaits your urgent response with the evidence of the payment
information's*
*such as the mtcn and sender's name.*

*Sincerely,*

*Mr Henry Marlick.*
*For: Western Union Benin-Republic.*
*WESTERN UNION... Over 380,000 Outlets Worldwide*
*Call Tel: +229-6277-1769*

Anti-fraud resources: