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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:
- 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. )
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- 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: West African Monitoring Unit <marcelecowasoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2023 03:09:43 -0800
Subject: Your Outstanding Payment
FROM WEST AFRICAN MONITORING UNIT
My Dear
After the year 2023 file review / audit we found your name as one of
our creditors for an outstanding fund payment of $850.000 which shall
be paid to you through western union money transfer.
However, we have concluded to effect your own payment through Western
Union Money transfer with a daily transfer of $5000 until the total
sum of your $850,000 fund is completely transferred to you.
The fund has already deposited with the Western Union Office in
Republic Of Benin for onward transfer to you, and you are advise to
contact the Western Union Office through the below contact
information’s to proceed with the transfer
Western Union Office Republic Of Benin
Contact Person: Mr. Jude Ugo Daniel
Email address: ( western_union_office458@protonmail.com )
Forward the below receivers information’s to the Western Union Office
for transfer of funds
Receivers Name:
Country:
City:
Sex:
Age:
Occupation:
Contact Telephone Number:
Thanks,
Mr.Nobert Lebechi
Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
