joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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 Funds <markchris02377@gmail.com>
Reply-To: rainamccalmanfbi47@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2021 07:54:33 +0100
Subject: Urgent Attention Needed

From Western Union Money Transfer,
Attention to You Personally:

Are you ready to pick up this $4,000.00 sent today? We have concluded
to effect your payment of USD$1.5 million through western union
($4,000.00) daily until your $1.8 Million is completely transferred to
you as instructed by the World Bank. Meanwhile, our office has
commenced action by sending you the first payment of ($4,000.00) under
your name today.

Contact person: Mr Raina Mccalman,
E-mail (rainamccalmanfbi47@gmail.com)

You will be given the pick information, with which you'll be able to
pick up your first, second and third payment today.

Ask him for the Money Reference Number (MTCN), sender’s name, question
and answer to pick the (X3) US$4,000.00. You are instructed and advise
to send him your information such as,

YOUR FULL NAME,
ADDRESS,
NEXT OF KIN
COPY OF ID
OCCUPATION


Kindest Regards
Western Union Funds Disbursement Office.

Anti-fraud resources: