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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Orji Mike <mikeorji53@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2010 19:40:49 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION ABUJA (shipment)
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
Metro Plaza, Plot 991/992
Zakari Maimalari Street
Cadastral Zone AO,
Central Business District, Abuja.
Attention:Tuth Fary.
How are you and your bussiness activities.
This is to inform you that your email was recieved here in the office of the British High Commission, You will have to comfirm the shipment address to make sure that it is correct to avoid sending your card to a wrong address since the card will also contain the pin of operation.
(201 Highland Avenue PO Box 296Largo FL 33779-0296.USA).
If the address above suits you for the delivery, you are adviced to go ahead and make payment of $150 being the shipment fee which was stated in the previouse email sent to you.
You will have to make the payment via western union money transfer using the below information.
Receivers Name: Kenneth Omengbeoji
Address: 3 marine road apapa
City: Lagos
State: Lagos
Country: Nigeria
Test Question: Favourite colour
Answer: Blue
Amount: $150.
Get back to me with the MTCN number so that we can procceed with the dispatch to make sure you get your card as soon as possible.
Have a nice day and God bless you and your family.
Yours in service
Mike Orji
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