|
|
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. )
- "robert mueller" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real FBI will not tell you to contact some email address. If you are in any doubt, contact an FBI field office via www.fbi.gov. )
- "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.
- federalbureau851@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John Francis Pikus" <jones_edward@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: federalbureau851@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:56:06 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Notice to you.
ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONITORY CRIMES DIVISION FBI HEADQUARTERS IN
WASHINGTON, D.C.FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING 935
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535-0001 ROBERT MUELLER III EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR FBI FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.WASHINGTON DC.FBI SEEKING TO
WIRETAP INTERNET
HELLO MY DEAR:
Notice to
you.
We have been watching
every single transaction you made since last year until this 2012 and you have
to know that we are also working to make sure your funds which are suppose to be
delivered to you, and also bear in mind that what ever you emailing us will be
forward to the court.
Also we are hereby to
notify by the Federal Bureau Of Investigation Cotonou Department of the insult
you imposed on them by failing to comply by their requirements.
Your full residential
address has been forwarded to us for your immediate arrest to face your charge
but I deemed it and fit to give you one more chance to save yourself from this
mess.
We have been told that
you have failed to dance by the rule of the FBI which will warrant 2 years jail
sentence.
Now I John Francis Pikus
the special agent in charge of the FBI Albany Department giving you 24 working
hours to effect the payment of the $98.00 usd. To the FBI in Republic Of Benin
(FBI SECURITY) with the information written below: to this email : ( federalbureau851@yahoo.com)
Receiver Name:
Mr.Egbuonu C
Peter
Country: Benin
Republic
City: Cotonou
Test Question: Urgent
Text Answer:
Needed
Amount: $98. dollars only
Mtcn number:
_______
Urgent to go and
send the
fee
Note: You have to make
this payment so that your funds will be delivered immediately to your
destination.You have to stop every transaction you are communicating with other
organization to avoid delay on the processing of your funds because we was told
that this year project will end this month.
We hope you understand
that there is warnning before arresting? If you fail to stick with my advice or
any delay will lead to us coming directly to your home address at any time, so
try and dance by the rule and get back to me with good understanding ASAP.
Special Agent in Charge.
Mr. John Francis Pikus
Anti-Terrorist and Monetary Crimes Division FBI
Headquarters In Washington, D.C.
|
Anti-fraud resources: