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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:
- 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. )
- "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. )
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- 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: yahya asadi <myahyaasadi@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2016 23:41:45 +0000
Subject: $6000.00 SENT
Attn:My Friend,
I here by wish to inform you that your funds has been received and allac
the vital documents regard the final transfer of your money from the
international remittance office has been made.
The only delay now is the money for the TRANSFER CHARGE which was
required by the remittance office department. So you are advise to
send the ( $79) immediately to enable them release your money
immediately. You can understand that every international transfer
have TRANSFER CHARGE amount to be paid and that is what they
requested.
I am giving you every assurance that as soon as you send TRANSFER
CHARGE ,your funds will be transferred immediately into your
designated Bank account..
Note that it is very important that you send the ($79) today to
enable your fund transferred without further delay.
Please my dear there is no time to west all have due is to send the $79
by western union money transfer and Waite for 2 hours after you send
$79.00 and again you are not going send any cent again and you will receive
your first payment $6000.00 daily so go now to western union money
transfer office very close to your home and send the $79 and get back
to me and you have reconfirm your information once again you will
receiveing your money via
Looking forward to hear from you.I am waiting your prompt mail with
the MTCN today. BELOW IS THE INFORMATION TO SEND THE MONEY. $79 only
via Money gram or Western union.
below for immediate release of your Fund,
RECEIVERS NAME:========== CHIKELUO ONYEBOSI
Country===========BENIN REPUBLIC
City:=============COTONOU
Test Question:======= WHO?
Answer:===========GOD
Amount:===========$79.00 USD
Sender Country=======?
Sender's Name=======?
MTCN============?
payment information and forward the MTCN so that we cam proceed with
your funds transfer by western union money transfer $6,000 everyday
and wire your $3.4Millions into your account direct for your
confirmation upon receipt of the $79.00 access pin code fees today.
Mr.Jones Lee
[j0neslee@live.com]
Tel: (574) 292-7262 text messages only.
Former Finance Minister, BENIN, and Chair
of the World Bank Development Committee
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Anti-fraud resources:
