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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:
- 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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "chief auditor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (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. Goodluck Jonathan" <mrgoodluckeberejonathan01@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 16:42:04 -0700
Subject: FROM OFFICE OF PRESIDENCY URGENT REPLY.
Mrs, Vivian Douglas
Chief Auditor to the President
Dear: Michelle Martinez
You are not to be blamed it is people like you that goes about saying
negative things about the Federal Government Of Nigeria, i will never force
you to make the payment fee God knows i have try all my best to help you
out, should i be the one begin you to come and receive your fund if today
you refuse to make the payment of the $85 USD YOU WILL SAY HAD I KNOWN IN
FUTURE
I Am Here To Make A Difference In Your Life, I No Your Destiny Is In Your
Hands
NOTE: MONEY GRAM NOT ACCEPTED
Here Is The Payment Information Through Western Union Finally my advice to
you is not to abandon this transaction because of the requirement of ($
85.U.SD)
Receivers Name: AMAECHI JERRY
Address: Lagos Nigeria
Test Question: TO
Answer: ME
MTCN________
Sender's Name: .....................
Sender's Address: .......................
Send all the details of the MTCN direct to this Email.
Yours in service
Mrs, Vivian Douglas.
Chief Auditor to the President
Direct line: 234-8023500006
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Anti-fraud resources:
