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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. )
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: GOOD DOLOO <ggoodday0008@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2016 11:58:31 +0100
Subject: Re: Because of Scam Going on Western Union and Money Gram
FROM OFFICE OF RIA MONEY TRANSFER BENIN REP
https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/
RIA@web.com.na
Because of scam going on Western Union and Money Gram here in Benin
rep and Nigerian, We RIA was instructed by NEW entering president to
send your funds via RIA MONEY TRANSFER.You're free to view our web
site: https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/ RIA@web.com.na
Your funds worth of $5.5 m , But we advised to wire $6000 par day till
one week than the rest should been by wire transfer into your account
any were you wish.
You're also advised to send the sum of $66 for Reprogrammed your files
and your funds into RIA Money Transfer System before you will start
receive your first Ria MT Numbers which is 11 numbers to pick up the
$6000 par day.
Note: Our RIA Transfer Numbers for pick up is 11, While Western Union
is 10 and Money Gram is 8.
Etta Cain
RIA@web.com.na
https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/
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Anti-fraud resources:
