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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. )
- 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.
- 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.
- www.westernunion@gawab.com (Gawab; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Rose William <agowesternunionbenin@gmail.com>
Reply-To: www.westernunion@gawab.com
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:05:33 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Attention ?
Attention ?
This is to inform you about your total fund here in Benin Republic, Reason of this mail is for you to contact Western Union money transfer Benin Republic with this total fund was deposited for your first payment information because Trust Fund Committee Benin Republic have sign your total fund and stamped it to be transfer through western union money transfer Benin Republic per $8000dollar day until you receive the total amount requested for you,
Note that Director of western union money transfer Benin Republic will need your information bellow to carry on your transfer immediately without any further delaying,
Your full name is needed………………
House address………………………………………
Office address…………………………………….
Age/sex…………………………………………………
Telephone………………………………………………..
Copy of you id card……………………………………
Remember to ask Director of western union money transfer Benin Republic to give your MTCN number for your first payment that has been already sent to your name today, kindly contact them immediately you get this mail because after 7days your total fund will be cancel and becomes abandon fund that’s reason why it is important to contact urgent and have your information immediately without any further delaying,
Name..................... Abdullah Ali
email address.....www.westernunion@gawab.com
Telephone...........+229 99 523518
Best regards
Rose William,
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