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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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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: "Mr.Ahouansou Pascal" <contact@dragos-chircu.com>
Reply-To: westernunion87@gmx.us
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2017 15:08:09 +0300
Subject: Dear Respected Customer;
Western Union Head Office
ACI 2000 – Imm. SIPROVET – Hamdallaye
Cotonou - Benin Republic
THE RELEASE OF YOUR FIRST INSTALMENT PAYMENT
It's my pleasure to inform you that after-our Board of Directors meetings
with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Concluded we-have to release your
Inheritance Funds Overdue worth US $15.5 Million through our Remittance
Service Western Union.
Moreover we based our agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Will
Be receiving send you US $15,000 was daily basis up to your total payments
Worth US $15.5 Million is completely Call Transferred.
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) 1811874694
Sender's First Name: John
Sender's Last Name: Scoth
Meanwhile you are required to confirm the details below:
1) Your Full Name:
2) Your Full Address:
3) Phone Number:
Furthermore you are required to send US The authorization Release fee of
$99 qui Will enable our authority the Ministry of Finance signs the Funds
Release Order We are waiting for your responds urgently to enable us start
with this project.
Yours in Service
Mr.Ahouansou Pascal
Phone:+22961102109
General Manager Western Union
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Anti-fraud resources:
