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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:
- "required 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. )
- "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: "Mr.James Armed" <westernunion_departmentcenter@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: jeffyandersondiplomatj@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:11:56 +0100 (BST)
Subject: WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER WORLD WIDE BENIN
WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER WORLD WIDE BENIN REPUBLIC COTONOU OF WEST AFRICAN FASTER WAY OF RECEIVING MONEY.
Send Money Worldwide
OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA ROAD
OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.
As soon as the required fee of $40 .00 is send today for the renewing reconfirming the payment file of your funds you will start receiving your funds as from tomorrow.
Send the $40 dollar through western union with the name and address below:
Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply
and your funds shall be transfer to your desginated address.
But remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we
will divert your funds to Goverment Fund, to aviod problem or we will
cancel the payment for this mounth untill next year because this year
is not like last year.
Again after (THREE DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year
and that is the reason why we decided to help to all our customers
before we enter into the new project.
So be advise to send the $40 immediately so that we will register
your payment and for you to start receive $4.500 as from tomorrow.
Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on
phone unless you will call +229-98445851. After the payment of $40 you will start receiveing your money every day$4.500 through Western Union. this is your first payment but you can never pick it up untill you send the needed fee ok
Mtcn -----------------------1282629321
Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below,
Reciver's name== Gabriel Eze C
Country== Benin Republic..
City==Cotonou.
Text Question== Good
Answer== Day.
Amount=$40
please we need your home adderss such as your receiver Name and your phone Number
Your Full Name.......
Your Country........
Your City............
Your Telephone Number.........
The Amount You Lost..........
Your Passport..........................
Your Age................................
The moment i receive the payment of $40 i will release the first
payment informations of $4.500 to you and you will pick up the money
and i will send you another money. Hoping to hear from you.
REGARDS,
DR DAVID TANCO.
The Director Of Western Union.
DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DR DAVID TANCO.
+229-98445851
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