joewein.de LLC fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter! Free trial for 30 days

"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

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:
  • "to your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • western_union_m_transfer@ubbi.com

Fraud email example:

From: "smith_koffi smith_koffi" <smith_koffi11@klikni.cz>
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 17:31:12 +0100
Subject: WESTERN UNION FUND NOTIFICATION!!!


*PLEASE BE KIND TO REPLY THROUGH THIS EMAIL(**
western_union_m_transfer@ubbi.com* <western_union_m_transfer@ubbi.com>*)*

*Dear: Sir/Madam, *

*There is a transfer in the amount of $1.200.000.00 USD directed in cash
credited to file KTU/9023118308/03, at the owner of this email address.*

*The INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND contacted us for your compensation a couple
of hours ago due to your allocated security code.*

*They said that they choose to send it to an email
address instead of a name. We are unable to complete a transfer directed at
an email address,so we require some more information in order to complete
this transfer.*

*FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
COUNTRY
MARITAL STATUS AND AGE:*

*You should only send the transfer charge of $250 with this information
below;*

*RECEIVER NAME; NWEKE ANDREW UZODIGWE
ADDRESS ........... AKPAKPA
COUNTRY ; COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC.
QUESTION ; MOTTO
ANSWER ; TO SERVE YOU BETTER
CODE............... 00229
AMOUNT...........$250
MTCN........................*

*As soon as this information is received,and you have complied with the
requirements of payment of the western union charges $250, payment will be
made to your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from The
Western Union Transfering Bank.*

*Note: That this is legal and thorough transaction , it is scam free and is
directly from the Management of Western Union Menu Cotonou Benin Republic.
and our Motto is To Serve You Better.*

*Get back to us immediately you receive this mail. You can also contact us
on our emal alternative
;(**western_union_m_transfer@ubbi.com*<western_union_m_transfer@ubbi.com>
*)*

*
**Sincerely,
Mr.SMITH.
For the management.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam