|
|
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. )
- "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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "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: "REV. DAVE HARRIS" <s_office1@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: fedex.courier.servise@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:04:14 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: VERY URGENT
Dear,
Sorry I did not reply you quick because I was on holiday but return office yesterday. I saw your two mails and your information then am writing you now regarding your response. The consignment package was deposited in our custody for long time ago awaiting for your contact to us to claim it. We have program to made the delivery to your home address here 322 Hillside Terrace #30,USA.
Once you comply with the fedex requirement track payment then the shipment will take place.The below is my telephone and address;
REV. DAVE HARRIS.
Telephone +229 99023514.
Address; Bp 45, Suis in Cotonou.
Benin Republic.
Call me on the above telephone number so we can talk one on one. Meanwhile, there is a little charges to pay according the fedex formalities. Thus, there is two papers to obtain from custom before the consignment will be allow to convey to your home address and the cost of the 2 papers is $1,540 total. Kindly make the payment on below name of my secretary ;
MR.ISAAC NWOBU.
City....... Cotonou.
Country...... Benin Republic.
Kindly go to the nearest western union on your area and wire this money on the name above of my secretary then call me after you made the payment via the western union. I am awaiting for your telephone call immediately with the mtcn of the payment informations. Thank you and remains blessed.
Best Wish.
REV. DAVE HARRIS
+229 99023514.
VERY URGENT
|
Anti-fraud resources:
