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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. )
- "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. )
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr. Yusuf P. Ubanwa" <nfservice556@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mr.yusufmusa565@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 11:38:32 -0800 (PST)
Subject: I Need Immediate Reply From You
Attention: Sir.
There is good news this morning. I was called from our offshore affiliate office in Minnesota, USA this morning that all those who have not received their fund can be allowed to receive it through ATM payment system. This ATM payment system is a very great opportunity for you to receive your fund because it will not attract any tax at your end for you once you receive your ATM Card.
Your fund will be transformed into the ATM card and with the ATM Card you can make withdrawal from any ATM MACHINE around you in your state and all over the world. The maximum withdrawal from the ATM Card is $50,000.00 till you withdraw your entire fund out of the ATM Card.
The only fund you are required to send is the delivery fee of your ATM card which will cost you $35 only for the delivery of your ATM card through speed trust Express Courier Service.
If you are interested to receive your fund through the ATM payment system, kindly indicate to me immediately by sending the required delivery fee of $35 only with the below information through western union for immediate dispatching of your ATM card to you today.
Send the $35 through western union with this below information stated.
Receiver:::::::Joseph Nnakuzie
Country:::::::::Benin Republic
City::::::::::Cotonou
Question::::::::HOW LONG?
Answer::::::::SOON
Amount:::::::$35
Sender'name::::::::
MTCN:::::::::::::::
I am waiting to know whatever your decision maybe so I will know if I will proceed in sending your ATM card to you today.
Best Regards,
Barr. Yusuf P. Ubanwa.
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