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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:
- "deduct your 10%" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "money order " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
- 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.
- +447011120037 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: JOHN ONIGBOGI ALISON <john_onigbogi_alison13@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <john_ali70@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:26:08 +0000
Subject: PERSONALLY TO YOU!!!
ROSE HOUSEHOLD TEXTILES LTD115 Huddersfield RdLancashire, M8 8QF, UK.PART TIME JOB OFFER!!!**********************************************
My name is Mr. John Alison, I own a Company that sells textile and Fabric material in United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and Africa. I am looking for a trustworthy representative in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia And Australia that will aid as a link between my company and my clients in your Country and get (10%)on every transaction we make, all you have todo is help us receive payments from our customers in the state, This payment May come in form of cheque or money order base on what our client decides topay with and you are to cash the payment in your bank or cashing point, you willdeduct your 10% from the payment and wire the rest to us via Western Union or Money Gram, to the given name we provide to you.
And am happy to Inform you that this part time job offer will not affect your presentplace of work .I would like to know if you are interested in this job offer. If you are interested please kindly fill the form and get back to us. NAME:.............................. LASTNAME:..................................ADDRESS:................. CITY:.................... STATE:...............ZIPCODE:............. COUNTRY:............. PHONE NUMBER:..............PLACE OF WORK IF ANY:..............DAILY EMAIL TO BE CONTACTED:...........GENDER:........... AGE:...............NATIONALITY:................ Kindly fill the form and get back to us if only you are willing to work for my company and get(10%)on every transaction you make. Thus Your information will be forwarded to our numerous clients in the states so as to issue out payment. Hoping to hear from you soon. Best regards, Mr. John Alison Managing DirectorRose Household Textiles Ltd115 Huddersfield RdLancashire, M8 8QF, UK.Tel (+44) 7011120037 or (+44)7031972397Website:http://www.rose-household.co.uk
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