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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:
- "demurrage fee" (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. )
- "demurrage " (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. )
- "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. )
- "westernunion-sn@groupmail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: Abia Alex <abiaalex9@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2019 16:44:21 +0100
Subject: -- Attention Dear,
--
Attention Dear,
This is to inform you that we have reviewed all the problems regarding the
transfer of your $550,000.00 USD and due to your inability to receive your
funds.We have decided to deposit your funds with western union here in
Republic due Senegal which will be the easiest and fast way to receive your
funds without more delaying.
Therefore,You have to contact the western union with the below details to
start receiving your funds. However, Be in mind that we have already paid
for the deposit charges and the only money you will pay is the capitation
fee of $150 only in other to start receiving your funds through western
union. Below is the western union Contact Address which you can contact
them now and start receiving your money.
Below is their Contact details:
Contact person.
Mr. James Ben
Western Union manager
Email: westernunion-sn@groupmail.com
Phone number +221 77880 3767.
Contact them as soon as you received this message to avoid the demurrage
fee.I gave them your information’s address but you have to re-confirm it to
them again to avoid any mistake in the receiver name. Let me know as soon
as you receive your funds and be informed that any delay at this time may
be dangerous.Thanks for your understanding.
Yours Faithfull
Abia Alex
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