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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "we will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "interl.departm2@msn.com" (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.
- 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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT FINANCIAL BANK <deskofficiall@sify.com>
Reply-To: interl.departm2@msn.com
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:08:48 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Funds 1.2000.00 as agreed and approved.
Dear Sir/madam;
This is in response to file passed to us from the highest authorities/ bodies Clarification Departments Benin. The specified file has been certified for transfer of your outstanding funds 1.2000.00 as agreed and approved.
I must tell you that we are ready to deliver the transfer as you wish as soon as you have sent the requested debt reconciliation fee as have explained to you .
We have sent a telex activation signal base on the pressure we are having due to insufficient funds to making sure all beneficiary received their payment, so we will advice you urgently comply with our instruction to avoid the cancellation of the transfer and using the fund to pay other .
Atm card and documents issued number 25412566 shipment from : Benin Republic for collection by the above beneficary for payment programed under Approved.Charges is $44 only. Send the charges fee $44 by western union with the Below details: please send the money with the below information via western union or money gram only with the below information:
Senders Name-----
Recivers name---- Jona U. Simple
Receivers Address: C/ 44 Akapakpa Centra
Destination country --- Benin Republic
City and state -- Cotonou
Zip code --- +229
Question:----What for?
Answer:---Approved.
Amount: $44
MTCN--------
Senders Address--------
Senders Telephone #--------
Forward the MTCM, Q and A to this email : interl.departm2@msn.com to enable us issue the transfer to your position
accordingly.
Thanks and we remain the Financial Bank Customer care promising to serve you better.
Yours Faithfully
MR. Wilfred Prosper
(Desk Payment Department Financial Benin Republic)
C/244 Akapakpa Benin.
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