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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:

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION SERVICE <dhsdesk0001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernunion01471@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2022 18:05:18 -0700
Subject: WESTERN UNION SERVICE

--
Dear Customer

You are getting this message in regards of your funds the sum of $2.5
million USD which comes from the Department of Homeland Security, the
funds has been sent to you
through Western Union and we have been waiting for you to go and pick
up your funds with the tracking number from any Western Union outlet
before it will be refunded due your delay in cashing your funds your
total funds is $2.5 Million USD for immediate release to you. But we
more clearancifcation before you will cash funds due to the
Authorization Release Permit is required in order to enable you cash
your funds immediately from any Western Union Outlet.

Track with our Website:
https://www.westernunion.com/web/global-service/track-transfer
MTCN Tracking Number: 014-733-2537

Sender's Name: Gary Johnson
Amount: $2.5 Million USD

What we required from you now is to secure the Authorization Release
Permit, which is going to cost you $99.00 USD (only) please be aware
that this is the only
charges/fees, as soon this is done, your fund payment of $2.5 Million
USD will be release to you in less than 45 Mins for sure.

Contact our cashier's under-listed information to know how to remit
the required fee to Obtain the requested Authorization Release Permit;

Cashier's Name: Marcia Anderson
Cashier's email:westernunion01471@yahoo.com
Required Amount: $99.00USD only

We thank you for your perceived understanding and apparently your
highest level of cooperation.

Sincerely Yours,
Mrs. Maria Anderson

Anti-fraud resources: