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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. )
- 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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: western union <wunion573@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2021 05:06:59 -0700
Subject: Congratulation Dear Estimate Customer,
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Congratulation Dear Estimate Customer,
We have registered your first payment of $8,000,00 Online through this
department Western Union Money Transfer. The payment is Available to
pick up by receiver but you cannot be able to pick it because is
On-hold for none Tax Insurance charges of $20
Just confirm your first payment with below instruction.
Open this website:
https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/self-service/app/tracktransfer
As soon as you open the website enter this tracking number::3097663087
As soon as you enter the tracking number click Track Transfer to
confirm by yourself.
You will pay $20 for Tax Insurance charges so that this first
payment will be release out from on-hold in order to able pick it up
by you. Go and send the Tax Insurance charges of $20 to below
information through western union office or money gram transfer
office and let us know immediately.
Answer: Now.
Amount: $20 only
Waiting to receive a copy of the payment receipt
Regard,
Mr.Occar Mark Jr
Director Clerk Agency Western Union
Track your money transfer | Western Union
westernunion.com
Track your money transfer | Western Union
westernunion.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
