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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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "headquater" (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "moneytransferworldwide@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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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: "westernunion@westernunion.com" <govoffoce@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:55:22 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Western Union
Western Union Send Money Worldwide
Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer office Cotonou Benin.
ADDRES: 17, BP OPPOSITE POST OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC.
Website: www.westernunion.com
Email: moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Telephone: +229-2101448 or Fax: +229.9978.984
Dear Custumer:
The Western Union Money Transfer Service Cotonou, Benin Republic headquarters wishes to inform you that our government has paid part of the fees needed for the final release of your funds $1.5Million USD to you this month through our Western Union Office here in Benin Republic to avoid you sending much money to african scammers again.
And for your information the maximum amount you will be receiving started from tomorrow is $3500 twice daily till your total funds of $1.5Million USD is complete transfered to you and we have been strongly instructed to send you the first payment of $3500 USD today through our payment system here before we find out that your payment file need to renew from world Bank central system.
And we listed bellow for your first payment of $3500 usd been sent in your name today morning but you will not pickup the money unless you send the fee of US$95 require to renew and reconfirm your payment file to us through the World Bank Central System..
Bellow is your first payment for $5000usd sent today.
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN): 733-241-4446
SENDER'S NAME====== Joyce D Mmaduome
Question-=============Who sent?
Test Answer==========Joyce
Amount===============$3500 usd
Therefore click www.westernunion.com and track your first payment infirmation to confirm that we do not lie to you in any where true to GOD. we also repeat again, you will not pick up the money unless you send the fee of US$95 require to renew and reconfirm your payment file to us through the World Bank Central System, so if you would prefer to start receiving your payment today hurry up and send the renew and reconfimation of your payment file fees $95 usd with bellow information via western union money transfer service.
Reciever Name: Onwujekwe Marcel
Country: Benin Republic,
City: Cotonou
Text Question: WHEN
Answer: ASAP
Amount: $95 usd
Finally Notice: This payment you are receiving is coming directly from World Bank assistance programme 2011 promo, so its risk free and we the western union headquaters has agree to start sending you the payment immediately you meet up with our demand in this letter.But after 2days you did not reply stand the risk of cancel your payment and have it return back to government
Western Union Intl Benin INC.
Barrister Joyce Maduome Group manager.
MY WORKING ID CARD IS ATTACHED TO THE EMAIL.
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