|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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. )
- "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.
- 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.
- diplomatrichard85@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Eric Brown Diplomat Agent <wamubank012@gmail.com>
Reply-To: diplomatrichard85@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:43:34 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Your urgent response is highly needed.
Att,
Am to inform you this morning here at JFK AIRPORT NEW
YORK.I made arrengment with the Security that i will sign up my Clearance Papers
of your box with $95 dollars.And Connect to your city today with your box.So
you have to be at home to meet with me face to face and receive your Box at your
door step this morning.
You are now to send this $95 dollars to our
office with this information for me to meet up to your home this morning as soon
i Clear from JFK to your city.
Receiver Name.: ........Ms Obinna Onyebuchi
Country.:............... Benin republic.
City....................Cotonou
Test Question................In
God
Answer.................. We Trust
Amount...............US$$95
.00usd
MTCN..............?
Am waiting for your payment
information as you send the money to our office.Do get back to me with your
Phone Number to call you as soon i come to your home.Urgent Call me as soon you
send this $95 now to our office.(516)92 1683
Contact me now to my
Email Address to receive your payment information (diplomatrichard85@yahoo.com)
Eric
Brown Diplomat Agent.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
