|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (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 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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- west_umth_office@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: john ik <john_ik111@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:59:14 -0800 (PST)
Subject: WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
My Dear Friend
How is your family and your friends? I hope everybody is ok. The year has come to an end again and nothing has been done on your transfer. It is so sad that you are no longer taking this matter serious. I want you to know that I have tried for you up till this moment to see that your fund is not cancelled but you are not showing any interest again.
You have to be open to me we are all matured men my Dear Friend Now, the officials are blaming me that I am trying to divert this fund because they are no longer hearing from you. It is so sad.
This is very important now you have to send $60 USD immediately since I have $100 USD with me so that I can endorse your name for further proceeding to avoid cancellation of this fund because we are entering into the end of the year fiscal audit. Try your best and it must be very urgent now. So that the MTCN Number of the 7, 500 will be release to you today for sure,
I am waiting your response so that I can forward the western union information to you.
Send the money with the information below through western union service. The fee of $60 usd
Is delay by now? And it is the final fee you need to pay to recieve all your fund with us.
Receiver: Anekwe Emmanuel.
Country Benin Republic.
City: Cotonou
Test Question: City Locate
Test Answer: Cotonou
Amount: $60 USD Only,
Note that your day to send this fee remains only 2 banking days.
So go ahead and send this $60 USD is possible today to enable us transfer your fund immediately.
Yours faithfully,
Thank you
REGARDS
Mrs Ngozi J.I.Chukwu ,
FORIGN OPERATION MANAGER
Office Number // +229_994_520_175
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
Direct all mail here ( west_umth_office@yahoo.com )
|
Anti-fraud resources:
