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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:
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. peter smith" <ttttttttttttttttttttta@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "Rev. peter smith" <rev.petersmith1@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2015 11:17:40 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: tracking your money right now ok
 We hereby acknowledged the receipt of your e-mail regarding the transfer of your outstanding payment (seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only). Be informed that all matters relating to the said transaction has been fully regularized as a final Approval has been issued out in your favor and we have therefore Commenced the programming of the transfer in your favor which will be completed once you send down our Reactivation Transfer Charges of $45. The Federal Government have Authorize the payment and we are only waiting for your confirmation with the Reactivate Transfer Files Sum Of $45 so kindly proceed to Money Gram and send this fee with the information below.
Note we have try to deduct the $45 but the could not be deducted base on the fact that that your account with us is a Non Residential account and we cannot make deductions without your transfer activation file .
tracking your money right now ok (https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderstatus.asp?country=global)
1.SENDER NAME:.Peggy Beise
2.TEST QUESTION:....4HRS
3.TEST ANSWER:......TIME.
4.AMOUNT ..........$ 5000.00 USD
5.MTCN:.....989-438-2611
You should therefore find your way to the Money Gram office and endeavor to send the fee directly to our service protocol officer information's so as to proceed with your transfer.
RECEIVERS:NAME: JAMES IKEL
COUNTRY: Benin Republic
CITY: Porto-Novo
TEXT QUESTION: When?
TEXT ANSWER: Today
AMOUNT: $45.00
MTCN.
SENDER NAME
Thanks for your understanding as we are waiting for your urgent response soon with the payment details.
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Anti-fraud resources:
