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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. )
- "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. )
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Patrick" <wennienadegeakondi@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: w.office16@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 06:39:12 +0100 (BST)
Subject: ATTENTION; Dear Beneficial, God Will Help You
ATTENTION; Dear Beneficial, God Will Help You
How are you doing today with your family i am very happy to inform you that your full compensation payment of $950.000.00USD has been deposited at the Western Union We have notify the regional manager to send you the MTCN only for you to verify but we will not give you the test questions and answer until you provide the requested payment of $54 for signing and stamping of your document files so that we can swing into action to complete your transfer.
Our regional manager has assign a new details for you. You are to visit
our website for tracking your MTCN.
http://www.www.westernunion.com
Money Transfer Control Number (M.T.C.N):9611517744
Senders First Name: Patrick
Senders Last Name: Wilfred
Question:
Answer:
amount: $4500.00
BELOW IS THE WESTERN UNION PAYMENT INFORMATION Sharon Dauphinais
Receiver Name......MR.DAMAIN CHIEDUN
Country...............Benin Du Republic
City.............Cotonou
Question...............god
Answer......................will help
AMOUNT............$54USD
SENDER'S NAME.................
Status : Available for pick up by receiver. ( To Pick up By You ) Please let us know when you will remit the payment of $54 so that we can send u the details for remitting the payment to us. Am waiting your urgent response.
And Finally you are advise to stop emailing any office or department here in Benin Republic until you receive your full compensation from us,this is for your security.
Regards
Mr. Patrick
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