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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. )
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "western_union_plc@live.hk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: "Western Union Money Transfer" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <western_union_plc@live.hk>
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:06:12 -0000
Subject: Please Read And Respond
I write to inform you that we have already sent you ($5,000.00USD) through
Western Union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full
compensation payment of ($500,000.00USD) via Western Union Money Transfer by the
United Nations (ECOWAS).
This is because the United Nations and (ECOWAS) are supporting individuals due
to the worldwide economy meltdown.The fund was sent in the name which you use in
opening your e-mail address. as you know that we will be sending you only ($5,
000.00USD) per day until the whole funds is completely paid to you.
For security reasons and to avoid misappropriation of funds, proper
verifications must be carried out before the fund is transferred. We require the
details below to verify with the details given to us by the depositor so that
the transfer can be carried out.
(1)Your Name:----------------
(2)Your Country:------------
(3)Tel:--------------------
(4)Age:---------------------
(5)Address:-------------------
(6)Sex:--------------
Send the above details to us via the email addresses stated below:
Western Union District Manager
(Mr.Anthony Carmelo)
Website:www.westernunion.com
E-mail:western_union_plc@live.hk
Tell: +2348051587556
As soon as these details are received and verified, the fund will be transferred
to you.
Thanks and God Bless,
Mrs. Maureen Mbe.
Organization Dept
Copyright © 2001-2011 The Western Union Lagos State West Africa NIG. All Rights
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