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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: "WESTERNUNION" <info@wu.org>
Reply-To: westernunion9289@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 09 Feb 2020 11:52:20 -0800
Subject: Dear customer 226

INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION SEEKING TO WIRE TAP THE INTERNET
Dear customer
This is to inform you that United Nation (U N) and International Monetory Fund Are working towards the eradication of fraudsters and scam Artists in Africa with the help of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Federal interpol Police and FBI. During the course of investigation, they were able to recovered some funds from these scam artists and IMF organization have ordered the funds recovered to be shared among the 5 Lucky people listed around the World as a compensation. This notice is been directed to you because your email address was found in one of the scam Artists file and computer hard-disk while the investigation, maybe you have been scammed. You are therefore being compensated with sum of $10Million USD and your first payment of $5000.00 has been sent today via Western=Union. You are advise to Contact Western Union with your full information to enable them give you Sender Name, Question and Answer to pick up your First $5000
(1) Sender's Name:-------------- John Mathew
MTCN : -------------- 8856694775
Amount: --------------- USD $5000
For self confirmation click our website ( https://www.westernunion.com/global-service/tracktransfersuccess)
Put MTCN : 8856694775 You can see that is funds is available for pick up and you Will be receiving your payment until your total fund of US$10Million USD is Completed. get back to us on this email [westernunion.usa@dr.com] with your information details of the receipt of the transfer.
Receiver's Name________
Address: __________
Country: __________
Phone Number: ______
We advice you to stop all the communications with everyone regarding your payment as we have short listed to start the payment via western union to you and now urge you to comply and receive your funds.
Best Regard
Mr.Pridmoore Graham
Western Union Office
Chat Conversation End

Anti-fraud resources: