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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:
- "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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "cheques " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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 free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- fundimf@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: INTERNATIONA <fundimf@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:13:03 +0100 (BST)
Subject: INTERNATIONAL MONITORING FUND I.M.F
FINAL NOTIFICATION LETTER
ATTN. HUHU KUKU FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
INTERNATIONAL MONITORING FUND I.M.F
EMAIL: fundimf@gmail.com
TELPHONE: +226-790-95-957
ATTN: SIR/MADAM.
I WISH TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR NAME HAS BEEN LISTED AMONG OTHERS THAT THERE FUND HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR IMMEDIATE TRANSFER TO YOUR ACCOUNT.THE APPROVAL WAS MADE POSSIBLE AFTER MEETING HELD TODAY WITH THE UNITED STATE CONGRESS ON FINANCIAL MATTERS REGARDING BENEFICIARIES WHO'S FUNDS IN SOME BANKS AND CONSIGNMENT THAT HAS BEEN HELD UP IN DIFFERENT AIR PORTS ALSO BANK DRAFTS AND CHEQUES THAT IS BEEN STOPPED BY SOME DIPLOMAT.
IN THIS REGARD, INSTRUCTION WAS GIVING TO THE CREDIT CONTROLLER OF BRITISH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL DEPT. TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU RECEIVE YOUR FUND WITHIN 48HRS FROM TODAY. THEREFORE, I WILL ADVISE YOU TO SEND IMMEDIATELY THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIONS IMMEDATELY SO THAT I WILL SUBMIT IT TO THE BANK TO CONTACT YOU AND TELL YOU WHEN YOUR FUND WILL BE IN YOUR ACCOUNT.
1). YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS
2). YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
3). YOUR AGE ND OCUPATION
NOTE THAT AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE THESE INFORMATIONS, THEN YOUR FUND WILL BE APPROVED AND TRANSFER TO YOUR ACCOUNT AND A TELEX CONFIRMATION SLIP WILL BE SEND TO YOUR BANK AND COPY WILL BE SEND TO YOU FOR YOU TO START MAKING WITHDRAWAL. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO UPDATE THIS OFFICE AND FIRM YOUR FULL BANKING INFORMATIONS AND COTACT DETAILS FOR THE ONWARD TRANSFER.IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR YOU TO MAKE THIS PAYMENT OF $450 USD FOR THE ACTIVATION AND THE WITHDRAW CODE
THIS IS THE INFORMATIONS TO SEND US THIS MONEY TRU OUR SERVICE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
SENDER'S NAME
RECEIVER'S NAME:Mr Edosomwan Endurance
ADDRESS: IMF Central District,CITY: OAUGA
COUNTRY: BURKINA FASO
AMOUNT: $450 USD
MTCN MONEY CONTROL #:
EXT QUESTIONS : what is your colur
TEXT ANSWER :White
Below Is the Transfer Details
Date: 6/06/2011 11:58: 24 Am
Reference No: D3a63-5e02f-885e
Account Code: QW-21905-AZ
Withdrawing Code: **************
From: Corresponded dollars account no: 46587921354
Format: Standard Top World Bank
Issuing Bank: Bank OFFICE
Current Status: Pending Transfer
Activation and the with drawer code (Charge): $450 USD
Additional Fee: Zero
Total Amount: USD 35. 5 Million
Currency: USD
Interest: Zero (0.0%)
Contact Email: fundimf@gmail.com
As soon as our A/c Officer confirm your payment of $450 USD, the activation and the drawers code would be forwarded to the transfer department for onward telegraphic transfer. A login and the password to our Online-Bank account would be created at the receipt of the activation code
YOURS FAITHFULLY
HUHU KUKU
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
INTERNATIONAL MONITORING FUND (IMF)
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