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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. )
- "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: Western Union Office <chiomaonuigbo38@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Western Union Office <wwesterunionbenin@manager.in.th>
Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 09:35:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: HERE IS YOUR FIRST PAYMENT: MTCN #---------------- 7056686653
Website: www.westernunion.com
Address:455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA
ROAD OPPOSITE TUNDE
MOTORS COTONOU.Benin Republic
Tell: ( +229 -68945653
Email:( wwesterunionbenin@manager.in.th )
URGENT ATTENTION FOR YOUR OWN GOOD.
How are you doing today? I write to inform you that we have already sent you $5000.00usd dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of $1.5Million USD via western union by this government .I was calling your telephone number to give you the information through phone but you did not pick up my calls through out that night.
Now I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you will pick up the $5000.00 usd to enable us send another $5000.00 usd today as you know we will be sending you only $5000.00 usd per day and it was agree that you will pay the sum of $78 before they will release the payment to $5000.
Track the information now to see that it is there.Noted that only fee you are to send to them is for your fund Reactivate fee it will no cost you more than $78 only that is all. to easy you pick up the first payment the sum of $5000 today as soon as possible you comply back the instruction give to you for immediately start making use of your first payment sent today.
https://wumt.westernunion.com/info/homePage.asp?country=BJ&origination=US
MTCN #---------------- 7056686653
Sender's First name----------Tony
Sender's Last name--------Morba
RECEIVER ..IN ..YOUR ..NAME
TEST QUESTION----....-- WHEN
ANSWER---------........----NOW
AMOUNT----------.....--$5,000usd
Here's the info to send the $78
Receivers name......Umeh Chima
Country.................Benin Republic
City...............Cotonou
Question: When?
answer:Now
Sender....Name..........
Sender..Country.......
Be advise that the $78 is a compulsory as they told me that is only money you will pay until you receive your payment completely and you have to re-confirm your full Name and home address and direct phone number to avoid e any wrong deposit okay.
I am waiting for your call once you pick up this $5000.00usd, Please email me your direct telephone number because I need to be calling you once we send any payment for the information. please follow our instruction you will never regret knowing me in your life then, you will receive your first of $5000.00 within 45 minutes after receiving the money from you Here is the information the western union office
need from you....
your full name__
your country__
your phone numbers_____
your age__
Your occupation____
Thanks, DR. Henry Peter
Try to call him with his cell phone number
+229 -68945653
emails:( wwesterunionbenin@manager.in.th )
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