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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. )
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "western.union194@w.cn" (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: fmsession <fmsession4@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:29:16 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Attention Dear Esteemed Beneficiary:
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
ECONOMIC AND DEBT REFORM DEPARTMENT.
WORLD BANK READ, ABUJA, NIGERIA
Attention Dear Esteemed Beneficiary:
This is to inform you that your delayed Inheritance/Contract Fund US$10 Million USD from the Nigeria Government has been Approved and Released for immediate payment to your nominated bank account unconditionally.
You are therefore advice to Contact the General Manager of WESTERN UNION BENIN REPUBLIC (Mr.FRANK GILTON) through below email address: ( western.union194@w.cn )
TEL: ++22998934620
Fax: +22966883889
and send him your Fund Release Pin R1209I so that he will transfer this fund to you immediately.and try to reconfirm your information to him.
Kindly notify us after 96hours you did not received this Fund from Mr.FRANK GILTON.
Thanks and accept our congrate.
Dr.Franklin Edeh
Minister for Finance,
Federal Republic of Nigeria..
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