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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:
- "clearance fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Blessing.D.Peter" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <western_unoin_transfer@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:16:33 -0700
Subject: This is to officially notify you that your payment schedule file will be cancelled after 72 hours
www.westernunion.com
Our Ref:WUMTOXX2/9883
Western Union Money Transfer International Dept
13/07/2011
From Mrs.Blessing D.Peter Minster Of Finance Head office aka Mr.John Maxwell
This is to officially notify you that your payment schedule file will be cancelled after 72 hours of the receipt of this e-mail.The Authority said that they have given you enough time to clarify with the balance payment of $99.00 USD be informed that all the needed has been taken cared only the remain balance of $99 is hold your daily payment by now and the audit department has prepared a letter to be sent to the auditor general to cancel your payment file but they have grant you 3days Extension.
We cannot hold on more than the 3 days and you will not blame me if your payment is cancelled due to improper documentations of your fund.
This is the final notification and your payment file will be cancelled after the 72 hours deadline.Let me know if you are having financial difficulties in raising the balance fees $99.00 USD and also let me know how much you have now so that I will know on how to assist you. Upon receipt of the fees today you will pick up your first installment of $5000 to any of your nearest western union office there in your country under two hours of receipt of the fee.
I am optimistic that you will make it,just be positive in your efforts and with positive you will things achieve at the end of the day.I have faith and that faith will yield a great profit to you.
I know that it will be quite some how difficult to raise the required money because I know that money is difficult to get it through but I want you to be rest assured that after all these you will have a perfect enjoyment at last,so take it up and do not be discourage at all.I am 100% sure about this and that is why I always encourage you so that you can receive your funds very easy and start eloping your own invest.
Send the Transfer charges and clearance fees of $99 today on the information contained on the payment advice-
PAYMENT ADVICE
Name: Mr.Onyi Agbudu
Country: Cotonou, Benin Republic
Amount: $99.00 USD Only.
Mtcn:
Test question: Honest
Answer: Trust
MTCN:
Senders name and address:
Send the Scan copy of the payment receipt for payment confirmation
As soon as you have made the payment,you are advised to send the below immediately for prompt pick up so as to effect your first transfer $5000 today without any further delay until your fund $800.000.00 USD has be success fulness transferred ok.
Send the Scan copy of the payment receipt for payment confirmation or send the bellow.
Sender's Name:
Sender's Address:
Money Transfer Control Number (M.T.C.N):
Total Amount Sent:
Test Question and answer:
Country:
Awaiting your immediate response.
Yours Faithfully.
Mrs.Blessing D.Peter Minster Of Finance Head office.
Mr.John M.Maxwell Agent Western Union Benin Republic. Direct line:+229-992247350
www.westernunion.com
Our Ref:WUMTOXX2/9883
Western Union Money Transfer International Dept
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