|
|
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:
- 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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Oceanic Bank Plc <oceanicdesk@blumail.org>
Reply-To: oceanicbkplc_atmcustomercare@info.al
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 23:06:12 +0900 (KST)
Subject: OCEANIC BANK PLC CUSTOMER NOTICE
.ExternalClass p { }.ExternalClass ul { margin-bottom: 5px; }.ExternalClass ol { margin-bottom: 5px; }
FROM ONCEANI
BANK PLC BENIN REPUBLIC
CONTACT: Dr. JAMES
CHIKA.
ADDRESS; AVENUE STERMETZ RUE
1255
TEL:
+229-99957514
EMAIL:
oceanicbkplc.atmcustomercare@info.al
RE:IMMEDIATE
ATM VISA CARD PAYMENT
NOTICATION
Attenetion:
Beneficiray,
Good day to you my dear and may the God almight father
bless you for all your effort and prayer concerning me. I just returned from
hospital yesterday.through i was not too well but i have to request for a
descharge as i know that God almight father will heal the rest but my aim is to
be able to comunicate with you.
I am pleading to you
in the name of God because it has been a while
now that we did not comunicate any more. I hope things is
moving normal,however I decide to write you and verify if you have raise the
needed fee which I told you to pay before Left to hospital so that we can
complete the assignment we have at hand, now let me know how you have raise
please get back to me now with western union payment informations so
that my effort will been completed.
I tred to call you during my stay in
hospital, I believe you know the needed amount is $189.00 but i
advise you to send $89.00 now then return the balance of $100.00 after you
receive the ATM CARD. but please don't fail by sending the $89.00 immedaitely
you receive this mail so that i will register the ATM CARD for immedaite
delivery and also give D.H.L tracking number to enable monitor the ATM CARD and
know the time it will arrive in your home address for you to receive
it.
I swear to God
almight father that $89.00 is only money you have to send untill you receive the
ATM CARD before you can pay the balance of $100.00 but please don't delay by
sending the money today or tomorrow because the ATM CARD will leave this country
by Wednesday to your country.Here is the informations to send the money through
western union or money
gram below:
1. RECEIVER NAME=======MR. MARCEL N.
NZELUO
2.
CITY/COUNTRY=======COTONOU_BENIN REPUBLIC.
3.
QUESTION===========GOD
4.
ANSWER============FIRST
5.
AMOUNT============US$89.00
As soon as you make
the payment please send an email with western union payment informations so that
we can pick up the money immediately and register the ATM CARD for immediate
deliver to your country.
Be rest assured that
$89.00 is for registation fee and is only money that you have to pay as for now
until you receive the ATM CARD then you can return the balance of $100.00
okey.Now you can go ahead and make the payment immediately through western union
or money gram.
I am looking forward to hear from you once again with
westen union payment informations if you want to receive your atm card but if
not , please don't contact back.
May the God almight father bless you.
Please be a
honest person to me because i swear to God that i will not lie to you until you
receive your ATM CARD please.
DIRECTOR
GENERAL JAMES OLU
CALL US IMMEDIATELY YOU SEND THE
MONEY+229-99957514
|
Anti-fraud resources:
