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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:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- 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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
- +22996287751 (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.
- westernutransfer2009@hotmail.fr (Hotmail, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: jamieken@ibibo.com
Reply-To: paymentoffice111@sify.com
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:57:17 -0700
Subject: Contact Western Union For Your Payment.
Payment Approved Via Western Union On 11th / 7 /2009.
Attn Beneficiary;
The Board of federal ministry of finance Benin Republic are hereby to notify you of your payment inheritance funds of US$1.5million after the meeting held on 11th of July 2009.His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OFBENIN (DR YAYI BONI) has Instructed this Department to send your funds through our western union money transfer,
for easy receive of your inheritance funds without any further delay to avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through internet now,You are required to send your name and address Where you want your fund to be send to you through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
The maximium amount you will be receiving per a day starting from tomorrow is $5,000.00)and the MTCN NO# will be sent along with the Text Questions & Answers for you to receive your fund through any Western Union Location in your Country, Send your inforrmation to Rev.Ted Bello of western union money transfer in Cotonou Benin Republic.
Beneficiarey name------
Address----------------
Tel phone--------------
Further procedure Contact our payment officer with the information below;
Rev.Ted Bello.
Western Union Money Transfer
Tel; +229 96287751
Email; westernutransfer2009@hotmail.fr
Try to fill the Above Informations where they will be sending you your money,
Yours in service
Mrs. Janet Sunset.
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Anti-fraud resources:
