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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. )
- "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. )
- "million 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)
- "00,000.00" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Harrison Frank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <asfc01@inmail24.com>
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 04:05:42 -0700
Subject: ATM PAYMENT CENTRE AND PAYMENT OF YOUR $5, MILLION DOLLARS FUND.
ATM PAYMENT CENTRE
PAYMENT OF YOUR $5, MILLION DOLLARS FUND.
Attention:
We wish to officially inform you that we have Credited and configured your fund into an Master Card also we have concluded the delivery arrangement with the delivery company regarding the shipment of your Master Card worth US$5,00,000.00 million dollars.See below the previous Master Card that was sent to our clients with the Aramex company in London together with there tracking numbers for you to track them for more proof and confirmation that this is legal and was legally approved by Federal ministry finance inconjuction with the united nation (FMF/UN)
www.aramex.com
7842974775 Shipment Update Express United States (Recent Shipment) 8/1/10
7842974731 Shipment Delivered Express South Africa
7842974742 Shipment Delivered Express Philippines
7842974753 Shipment Delivered Express United Kingdom
7842974764 Shipment Forwarded Express China
7842974786 Shipment Delivered Express United Kingdom
While the Master Card details is stated below
Card Name: Duane Hammann
Card Number: 5412 7500 0000 0000
Pin Number: 8733
Expiry Date: 01/12
Withdrawal Limit: US $10,000 Daily.
You are to make the payment for shipment with the payment instruction below via Western Union or Money Gram.
Receivers Name: Paul Ego
Country: Lagos Nigeria
Text Question: God is
Text Answer: Good
Amount: US$150
MTCN:...............................
Senders Name:......................
Senders Address:...................
Scan copy of western union payment receipt. We look forward to your response with the payment to enable the shipping company embark on the delivery Also you are to reconfirm your contact address before we move on with the delivery of your master card.
Finally see attach of the scam copy of your master card for you to preview for more prove. Awaiting your anticipating response with the payment receipt to enable the bank proceed immediately with the shipment.
Board of Executive
Mr Harrison Frank
Remittance Officer.
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