|
|
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:
- "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. )
- 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 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.
- wu32430@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- 5. your age 6. your country name mr.terry young. e-mail: wu32430@gmail.com e-mail: westernunionoffice446@yahoo.fr tel:+22999944906 (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John Herry" <info@renaciente.com>
Reply-To: "Mr.Terry Young" <wu32430@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2013 05:59:21 -0500 (ECT)
Subject: Contact Western Union For Your Payment
Dear/
We have concluded to effect your payment through western union $5,100.00
daily until the $2.5Million is completely transferred.
Though, Mr.Terry Young sent $5,100.00 in your name today so contact
Western union Agent with your information.
1. Full Name
2. Your Address
3. Phone number (private)
4. Copy of international passport or driver’s license
5. Your age
6. Your Country Name
Mr.Terry Young.
E-mail: wu32430@gmail.com
E-mail: westernunionoffice446@yahoo.fr
Tel:+22999944906
with your name and your address
and tell him to give you the MTCN, sender name and question/answer to
pick the $5,100.00.
Thanks
Mr. John Herry
|
Anti-fraud resources:
