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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: WESTERN UNION <itpolm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2011 22:14:16 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Welcome to Western Union International Money Transfer your payment USD$850,000:


Welcome  to Western Union Money Transfer Benin

WWW.WESTERNUNION.COM BENIN. 

send Money World wide

Send Money  


 

Attention Dearest Customer, 




This is to notify
all our costumer about the latest development concerning all the payment
that left in our custody which yours are inclusive, besides your where
given a bill for re-conforming your payment files in order to receive
your payment of which we didn’t hear from you for sometime now.
 
Hence,
our Western Union is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our
customers that are having their payment  in our custody due to of
prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involve should
pay only the sum of $85 USD to receive all their payment abandoned in
our custody.
 
So my dear this is the opportunity for you, and you
have to comply so that your funds shall be transfer to your designated
address without any problem.
 
But remember that after (4 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert your total funds to our
Government account to avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this year because this year is not like last year..
 
Again
after (Four DAYS) We will enter A new project for the year 2011 and
that is the reason why we decided to help all our customers before we
enter into the new project to ensure that you receive your payment.
 
So
be advice to send the $85.USD immediately so that we will register your
payment and for you to start receiving $2500 twice daily as from
tomorrow. Be advice that there is no time again for we to call any
person on phone unless you will call

Western Union International Money Transfer Benin
E-mail address:  moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Telephone:       +229.999.418.92
 
After the payment of $85.USD you will start receiving your money every day $2500 twice through Western Union;
 
Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below,
 
Receiver's name== Mrs. Igbanugo Lawrence N.
Country== Cotonou , Benin Republic.
Text Question==  What Colour
Answer== Blue
Amount=$85.USD Only
 

The moment we
receive the payment of $85 I will release the first payment information
of $2500 to you and you will pick up the money the same day and I will
send you another money. Hoping to hear from you soonest.
 
Yours in Service

Mrs. Igbanugo Lawrence N.
Western Union International Money Transfer Benin.




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