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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. )
- 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: johnson ube <ubejohnsondesk@gmail.com>
Reply-To: johnson ube <ubejohnsondesk@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2017 04:21:20 +0900 (JST)
Subject: RE: Payment information
Western Union Money Transfer Worldwide
Payment Order File. WU/2016/2017
Dear Customer
We are wishing you happy New Year and here to inform you about our final conclusion to commence your compensation payment through Western Union Transfer at maximum of $5,000 daily until your $1.5 Million USD is completely transferred to you accordingly.
I'm the accountant officer Mr. Johnson Ube and have been resigned as the Director of supervision on your 2017 new year auditing program and has signed your installment payment with first $5,000 transfer in your name today and need you to contact us back on email or call below phone number with your Valid ID, mobile phone number to verify your name with MTCN: 544-602-9751 and post your first $5,000 transfer available for pickup in your city within 5mins.
Name: Mr. Johnson Ube
TEL: 00 229 659 59780
So hasten up and give the agent a call to process your payment at once. Ask him for the MTCN sender name and test Question/Answer to pick up your first payment of $5,000.Once again congratulations.
Thanks your patient and cooperation.
We give you best of services
Dr. Johnson Ube
Director of supervision, 2017 Auditing Program
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Anti-fraud resources:
