|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (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.
- 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.
- 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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: SIRE JACK SMITH <sp475ma9.@festa.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: SIRE JACK SMITH <usembassy@mail15.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2016 21:44:12 +0900 (JST)
Subject: From the Former United States Ambassador to Republic of Benin
Honorary Ambassador SIR JACK SMITH
Address Consulat de l'newzerland, Nirvana
Lot No.1430 R, Vedoko Missogbe
Cotonou Benin
international: +229.68570892
>From United States Former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin:
You are welcome to US embassy here in Benin republic there is an information brought to US embassy in Benin republic that you have lost some much money in West Africa Benin republic Nigeria and others country from West Africa when trying to received your fund from there government,
When I received such information I was so angry about that because I wasn’t expect that such thing will ever happen to any of US citizen in my tenor in this Africa, Meanwhile I told those people that brought the information here that I will contact you first to know if that is true before any further action about this matter,
I will like to confirm from you immediately that the information is true that you have lost some money in this country when trying to claim your funds I need to confirm from you urgent, note that after 24Hrs if I did not hear from you I will know that the information is not true call me urgent as soon as you receive this email +229.68570892
The US embassy here in Benin republic has compensated ( $5.5 Million USD ) we need to hear from you urgent to settle all this problem immediately and remitted the total fund to any department of your choice with out any father delay and not you will only pay for service charge. Bellow is the information you will used to send the $125.00 needed for the service charge via western union or money gram transfer today.
Receiver Name==== LUKE ADE
Country =======Benin Republic
City ============= Cotonou
Text Question ===== When
Answer ============ Now
Amount ======== $125.00
Sender Name ====
Mtcn ====
I will wait to hear from you today with the mtcn number
Do reconfirm us your information.
1. Your Full Name:
2. Address Where You want us to send your fund:
3. Cell/Mobile Number:
WE WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.
AMBASSADOR: SIR JACK SMITH
US EMBASSY BENIN REPUBLIC
Tale: +229.68570892
|
Anti-fraud resources:
