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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)
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "headoffiw.u@w.cn" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Money File <moneyfile.file1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ec.bplc@w.cn
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:17:30 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION OFFICE INCHARGE OF YOUR MONEY
CONGRATULATION TO YOU.
This is to inform you that the international money monetary fund governor had on wednesday agreed/approved your $800,000.00 by the above GOVERNMENT to see that they obeyed the current order from the America President(Barack Obama)which instructed that any Citizens,Whose properties and payment has been delayed due to one reason or the other should be paid the part payment their entitlement before 3 weeks.And we have concluded yesterday with the governor of our office known as (international money monetary fund management) that your fund of $800,000.00(Eight hundred thousand Dollar) should transfer through Western Union money transfer,after the two managerment have concluded it first.
You are therefore advice to quickly contact the Western Union office.When contacting them send your delivery information to them for them to start sending your money and finish it before the deadline.Here is their E-mail:(headoffiw.u@w.cn)
CONTACT WESTERN UNION OFFICE INCHARGE OF YOUR MONEY
Best regards
Mrs.Marine Julie
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