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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. )
- "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. )
- 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 free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- westernunionpaymentofficenigeria@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: officedoc4@laposte.net
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 06:33:06 +0100
Subject: SEND THIS PAYMENT DETAILS TO OFFICER INCHARGE WESTERN UNION WITH
THIS EMAIL ADDRESS BELLOW( westernunionpaymentofficenigeria@yahoo.com )
WESTERN UNION 2013 BONUS ALERT!!
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT WE ARE GIVING AWAY BONUS 2013 TO ALL OUR BENEFICIARY AND YOUR EMAIL WAS AMONG THEM , AS A RESULT OF YOUR OUT_STANDING FUND OF $2.5MILLION , YOU ARE HEREBY REQUESTED TO PAY ONLY $59USD INSTEAD OF THE FEE YOU WHERE ASK TO PAY BEFORE, THIS IS AS A RESULT OF BONUS 2013.AND YOU WILL PICK UP YOUR FIRST $5000USD TODAY VIA WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER DAILY UNTIL YOUR TOTAL FUND IS COMPLETED IMMEDIATELY WE CONFIRM THE PAYMENT RECEIPT OF $59USD HERE WITH THIS INFORMATION BELLOW.
THIS IS YOUR FIRST DAILY PAYMENT BELLOW
MTCN: 770-765-7266
Sender's Fist name: Julie Irene
Sender's Last Name: Turton
AMOUNT========$5,000USD
URGENT GET BACK IMMEDIATELY WITH THIS $59USD TO PICK UP THIS YOUR MTCN OF
$5000USD,INFORMATION TO SEND THIS $59USD BELLOW.
RECEIVER NAME ......NWOKEDI AMBROSE UGOCHUKWU
RECEIVER COUNTRY......NIGERIA
RECEIVER CITY .......LAGOS
TEXT QUESTION........MY
ANSWER........BONUS
FEE........$59USD
MTCN.......
SENDER NAME ..........
SENDER ADDRESS......
SEND THIS PAYMENT DETAILS TO OFFICER INCHARGE WESTERN UNION WITH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS
BELLOW( westernunionpaymentofficenigeria@yahoo.com )
THANKS
Dr.MRS.ROSE ANKE.
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Anti-fraud resources:
