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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:
- 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. )
- "storage fee" (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. )
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "lagos" (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.
- 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.
- 101@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- ighcourtng5 101@hotmail.com ) and send the $100 to him today to (Careceo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: copperclear copperclear <copperclear2467@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 09:56:38 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION: Final Notice of Your Package,
Cargo Unit Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Airport code: ORD 10000 West O'Hare
Chicago, IL 60666 USA
ATTENTION: Final Notice of Your Package,
My name is Mr. Robert V.Greene the Diplomatic Agent assigned to deliver
your package. In view of your inability to receive your package reg #:
US8100AF originally scheduled to be delivered to you by the Nigerian
International agency Foreign payment service. I arrived at chicago with
your package in a golden metal box international airport via Nigeria
airways flight no. BA592 from sometime ago.
I was at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport since 9 days ago with
your package,but the Chicago O,Hare International Airport Security Agency
requested for (Ownership Certificate) to confirrm the legalities of the
golden metal box
or I pay $1740 before they will release the package for me to deliver it to
your home.
But I contacted Federal High Court Of Justice Nigeria for the needed
Certificates and TONY OBI the Chief secretary to Mr.Jobo Keller of Federal
High Court Of Justice Nigeria said that the certificates will only cost you
$100 So contact TONY OBI immediately with this email; (
fhighcourtng5<fhighcourtng5@careceo.com><fhighcourtng5@careceo.com>
101@hotmail.com <diplomat.aj1@9.cn> ) and send the $100 to him today to
enable him to obtain the require certificates on your behalf and fax it to
me at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Send the $100 via Western union with the name below;
Receiver Name: TONY OBI
Country: Nigeria
City: Lagos
Amount: $100
Text Question: When?
Text Answer: Today
After you sent it then forward the MTCN to him on this email
And also call him on his private telephone +234-8178550022 for official
notification so that he will pick the money immediately to obtain
the certificates and forward it to me so that I will get your package to
you today.
I am writing to you to inform you that the days of grace remain Two days to
expired and if it expired the Chicago O'Hare International Airport shall
begin to charge the storage fee of $15usd daily. Please call TONY OBI with
this number +234-8178550022 and send the $100 to him
now.email: ( robertvgreene101@hotmail.com <diplomat.aj1@9.cn>) Note that
this notice serves as my last recovery notice to you as our department will
be completed to list your package as an unclaimed and maybe forfeited.
You Can See My Diplomat Agent Identity Card.
Best regards,
Dip Mr.Robert V.Greene
E-mail: <E-mail%3Adiplomat.aj1@9.cn>robertvgreene101@hotmail.com
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