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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:
- 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. )
- "million united states 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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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: "Melvin Kelvin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <steven_edwin@yahoo.cn>
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 13:29:53 +0200
Subject: Did you receive my last email to you??
Attention:
It has been a while since we both made contacts to each other due to my tight schedule and also the lack of funds from your end to complete this transaction.
The Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) has decided to settle for the cost of delivery ($250.00) on your behalf to enable the immediate release of your funds from the issuing bank (Zenith Bank).
Further documents will also be accompanying the DEBIT MASTERCARD card which the bank will be sending to you that gives you access to your total sum of $4m (Four Million United States Dollars) along with a letter headed paper containing your access PIN code, direction for card usage and your daily limits but note that delivery can only commence upon the reconfirmation of your complete delivery address, a reachable phone number and an administrative charge of $120.00 (One Hundred and Twenty United States Dollars).
I will advise that you make good use of this advantage to receive a DEBIT MASTERCARD card that gives you access to an amount of $4 Million while I am also here to furnish you with details regarding the said amount provided I have your full cooperation.
You are to contact the officer in-charge of your case file so that he can direct you on what to do in regards to the collection of payment and also how you are to remit the payment to him via western union. Find below the contact information of the agent you are to contact for futher proceedings.
Name: Steven Edwin
Email Address: steven_edwin@yahoo.cn
Phone: +234 802 355 3266
To avoid further delays I will personally advise that you proceed with the advantage given by the FMF by sending the $120 (Administrative Charge) immediately via Western Union to the information below:
Send Money ($120.00) to;
Mark Allen (Receiver's Name)
Address: Lagos, Nigeria.
Zip code: 23401
Amount: $120.00
Text Question: Money Sent
Answer: Today.
M.T.C.N: Fill in After making Payment.
Your tracking number will be revealed to as soon as I confirm the proof of payment (MTCN) concerning the administrative charge and also your delivery address.
Do proceed as I have instructed then look forward to the successful conclusion this transaction.
Regards,
Fred Owens.
You still have a chance to receive $4 Million
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