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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "million 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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 free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- bifie1654@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr John George <offic083@gmail.com>
Reply-To: bifie1654@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2021 01:36:32 -0700
Subject: Contact western union office urgent
Dear customer
This is to notify you that all our customer about the latest
development concerning all the payment that are left in our custody,
which yours are inclusive beside your.western union office is now
offering for 2021 to help all our customer to received they funds of
$80.11 Million dollars which you will be picked uu $5000 usd per
day.Here is what we need from you to complete the transfer immediately
you received it today,and Bellow is your first payment of $5000 usd i
sent today to your name. and before i will give you the mtcn number
you will pay for activation transfer fee ,
First Transfer total amount is $5000.USD
Money Transfer Control Number [MTCN......
Senders Name:............John William
so i want you to Contact me urgent through this my text number (425)
626-2542: or you email me from my email address if you want me to give
you the mtcn number payment silp today once you reply urgent ,
Your full name ..................................
Home address ..................................
Your country..................................
Your city..................................
Telephone..................................
Occupation..................................
Your Age ..................................
Dear Beneficiary, Your mtcn of $5000 usd is showing available for pick up
Regards,
Mr John George
Email :( bifie1654@gmail.com )
western union office Supervisor
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Anti-fraud resources:
