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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "anti-terrorist certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "required fee " (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. )
- "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. )
- ",000,000" (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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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 free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- skyebankcompensation01@financier.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATIONS" <skyebankcompensation01@financier.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:14:51 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATIONS!
SKYE BANK PLC / UNITED NATIONS 2010
SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATIONS
PAYMENTS.REF/PAYMENTS CODE: 06654.
AMOUNT $5,000,000.00 USD
CONTACT EMAIL:skyebankcompensation01@financier.com
Attn: Dear Sir/Madam
This is just for reference purpose. This message was sent to you
yesterday. This is a good and lasting solution from the Remittance
Department in conjunction with the United Nation and the Federal High
Court in Abuja. They have made a provision for you to claim your Fund
without much stress. Certificate of Other has been introduce to solve
all these problem of Custom, FBI, Anti-terrorist Certificate and other
minor hindrances from getting your ATM Card.
And we advice you to reconfirm to us your current full home address
and telephone number were to deliver this ATM card to you because your
fund has credited into your ATM card. You are only liable to apply for
Certificate of Order with $90 only and all process will follow
immediately. The processing will take 2 working days before your ATM
Card can be dispatch to your Address. Once you Send the required fee
today to the below information through Western Union money transfer or
Money Gram;
Name: Mike Oti
Address: Lagos State, Nigeria
Question: urgent
Answer: urgent
Amount: 90
Now be inform that this is the only fee you advice to pay and receive
your ATM card you send this $90 to and get back to us with the
payment information for the confirmation.
Regards,
Dr. Remond Becks
SKYE BANK PLC
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Anti-fraud resources: