|
|
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:
- 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. )
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.JOHN WALKER" <mr.johnwalker00@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:46:39 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: =?utf-8?B?WU9VUiBBVE0gVklTQSBDQVJEIFBBWU5FTlQgRlVOROKAjw==?=
Dear
This is to notify you that Mr. Paul Wilson and the CBN board of
directors have been inform that your ATM VISA CARD which has been on
transit since in united state of American and you are now inform to
follow there instruction which is going to help you receive your ATM
CARD at your door step.
Meanwhile, this massage is to inform you that your card will not retune
back to Nigeria because if is going to be retune the customs officers
should have send it back from the sender, but now you are a very lucky
passion to have your CARD been in American as the card owner you have to
follow there instruction giving to you immediately Â
Since the card is in your country why not proceed to the western union
and send the needed $280 at the same time as I look for our bank lawyer
to get the FUND RELEASE ORDER CERTIFICATE for the release of your fund
which is now in your country at customs custody. As you are now updated
by me regarding your ATM CARD for not been receive up till now please do
follow the procedures of the customs officers since this CARD is right
now in your country. if you lost this CARD or the customs dump this CARD
at there dumping office it may cost another charges or the CARD may be
lost in there office call them and make sure that you send the money
accrues to me my Tuesday like I promises them on our telephone
conversations
|
Anti-fraud resources:
