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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: "Western Union Office Center" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wwwoffice.mailcenter@bk.ru>
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2017 13:07:08 +0100
Subject: YOUR FIRST PAYMENT MTCN# { 803-256-9692 }

Hello,
 
This is to inform you that the USA and Economic Community has instructed to transfer the sum of US500.000.00, compensating all the SCAM VICTIMS and your email and phone number was found as one of the VICTIMS, By America security leading team and America representative officers so for your information the maximum amount you will be receiving starting from today is $5,000 USD till your total funds of US500.000.00, is complete transferred to you and we have been instructed to send you the first payment of $5,000 USD today through our payment system.
 
As you know already that we will be sending you $5,000.00 only per day until the total amount is fully transferred to you and it was agreed that you are to pay a total sum of $170.00 for renewing your transfer file so that the Payment will be in your Name before you are enabled to pick up your first payment at any agent location,
 
Do take note of this, that you are to pay the renewing fee of $170.00 before Going to any Western Union office in your location to pick up the $5,000.00 which is currently active.
 
MTCN# (803-256-9692)
Amount: $5,000usd
 
Go ahead and send the $170 to Mrs. Elizabeth Foma through Walmart to Walmart and get back with pick up info.
 
Receiver's Name: Elizabeth Foma
State,City: US,Texas
Amount: $170
 
The $170 is to renewing your transfer file so that the Payment will be in your Name before you are enabled to pick up your $5,000.00 at any agent location, Kindly go and send the renewing fee of $170 If you want your first payment of $5000 to be in your name,Be fast and get back to us urgent.
 
Sincerely,
Mr. Alex Martins
Western Union Office Center.

Anti-fraud resources: