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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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: "ATM/WUP" <info_atmcard08@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:16:54 -0500
Subject: ATM Card Number; 5428050011004432 Has Been Approved In Your Name
Dear Friend
However, it is our pleasure to inform you that ATM Card Number;
5428050011004432 has been approved and upgraded in your favor. Meanwhile,
your Secret Pin Number is 6312. The ATM Card Value is $12.7 million USD Only.
You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of US$20,000.00 is permitted
daily. And we are duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any
location of the ATM Center of your choice/nearest to you. We have also
concluded delivery arrangement to oversee the delivery of the ATM Card to you
without any further delay. In view of this development, you are requested to
immediately offset the Courier and transit Insurance charges of $420 via
Western Union or Money Gram through the Company given payment instruction as
follows:
Name: David Nwaorgu
Text Question: Color
Answer: Blue
Address: Lagos Nigeria
Senders Name:
Send the MTCN Number to this office for the money to be picked up. Be
informed that delivery will be made to your address; within 48 hours of our
confirmation of this payment. Be aware that the delivery fee receipt will be
attached to your payment delivery documents to avoid being delayed by the
customs.Advice this office of your preferred time of visitation to delivery
so that we can inform the DHL Courier Company. And be informed that your
valid I.D card must be presented to the dispatchers before release will be
done to you to avoid wrong delivery, therefore you are directed to present
your ID to the Courier on receipt of you package.Treat as very urgent, as we
also remind you once again that your ATM Card is ready .
Sincerely
Dr. David Nwaorgu
Tel: +234-813-873-4748
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