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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. )
- "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: Fernnand Gary <hotlinedomain@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Fernnand Gary <wstnunion.paymt0ffice12@outlook.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 09:45:53 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Western Union Payment Office:
 Western Union Payment Office
West African Zonal Headquarter
Cotonou Benin Republic
Â
Under the United Nations Scam Victims Rehabilitation scheme, You are
LISTED to receive your compensation through Western Union payment on the
tune of $ 3,5.00USD as one of the scammed victims in our Website Publication
as one of the lucky Beneficiaries to
the Compensation Fund payment. Reconfirm your delivery information as stated
below to the Western Union Payment Office email at:
(wstnunion.paymt0ffice12@outlook.com) Phone +22998282636 Manager:Dr. PAUL TURNER
Â
Â
However note upon the activation you are required to furnish us your full
information such as listed at bottom below,
Full Name: =====
Country: ======
Address: ======
Phone: =======
Nationality: ===
City: =========
Occupation: ===
Sex: =========
A scanned ID.
Â
Your Total funds here is $ 3.5.00.USD Quickly Get back to us
with your full information to enable us transfer your fund to you.
Western Union Department
Office phone#: +229) 98282636
contact Dr.PAUL TURNER
E-Mail:(wstnunion.paymt0ffice12@outlook.com)
Best regards:
Mr: Fernnand Gary
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Anti-fraud resources:
