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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:
- "from the desk of" (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. )
- "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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: IMF WORLD REGULATORY OFFICE <infoimfofficemailworks@mailworks.org>
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 05:03:08 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From: Rev. Dr. Arnold Nwachukwu
IMF WORLD REGULATORY OFFICE
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS REGULATORY AUTHORITY
INTER-CONTINENTAL DEBT RECONCILIATION DEPT.
FROM THE DESK OF REV. DR. ARNOLD NWACHUKWU
DIRECTOR: IMF World Regulatory Office.
Re: PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION
After a brief meeting this morning i took out time to plead on your behalf for a fee reduction which have been accepted to have the fee reduced to the sum of $105.
So do your best to raise the $105 today and go immediately and send the $60 to the details below so that we will be able to commence and complete your transfer today okay.
As such you are to Please run down to the nearest Western Union Money Transfer and have the only required $105 paid immediately to this details below.
Receivers name: Victor Harry
Text question: Best
Text answer; interest
Amount: $75
Destination: Lagos / Nigeria
Senders name:
Senders address:
Mtcn number:
Go now and make the payment and have the details forwarded to this office, so that your transfer can be effected into your bank account.
Confirm the receipt of this e-mail by you immediately and be rest assured you will be smiling to your bank before the end of tomorrow.
Your quick response will definitely go a long way as regards your transfer.
Waiting for your reply soon.
Your's faithfully,
Rev. Dr. Arnold Nwachukwu
Director: IMF World Regulatory Office.
Tel/Fax: 234-81205517522
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