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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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 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.
- wiremoneygram_transfer@hotmail.fr (Hotmail, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: David Maiga <dr.davma0@sify.com>
Reply-To: dr.davma@sify.com
Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:50:12 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONTACT MONEY GRAM FOR YOUR TRANSFER
Dear Friend,
I am happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund Now.
I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund into my new partner's account in Vietnam,
who was eventually,capable of assisting me in this great venture.
Due to your effort,sincerity,courage and trust worthiness You showed during the course of the transaction.I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $900 000.00.which i mapout for your compensation before travelling to vietnam.
So contact the DIRECTOR MR WILLIAMS BELLO and ask him to give you the money gram payment information so that you can be able to pick up the funds through money gram without any problem.
HIS EMAIL ADDRESS IS (wiremoneygram_transfer@hotmail.fr)
PHONE NUMBER +226 79028909
AND CONTACT HIM WITH YOUR FULL INFORMATION.
1) Your Full Name....................
2) Your Age..........................
3) Marital Status....................
4) Your Phone Number.................
5) Your Country........................
6) Your Occupation...................
7) Sex...............................
CALL OR EMAIL HIM NOW SO THAT HE CAN PROVIDE
THE MONEY GRAM INFORMATION TO YOU AS SOON AS YOU CAN.
Thanks and Remain Blessed
Dr.Daivd Maiga.
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