|
|
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. )
- "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. )
- "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- 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 Frederick" <johnfrederick974@yahoo.in>
Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2014 03:41:05 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: YOUR FREE ONLINE PAYMENT THROUGH UBA BANK OF AFRICA.
This is an order from ministry of finance Benin republic, am writing to informed you that your funds $9.7 million us dollars is now ready to be transfer to you through online banking system in the service of UBA Bank of Africa Benin Republic, and every necessary arrangement to transfer your total funds of $9.7 million us dollars to you has been made free of charge since you are finding it difficult to receive your funds through western union, money gram, dhl etc.
Therefore, your funds will be release to you within 24 hours with out any problem, for your information you will not pay any thing for this fund release order from ministry of finance because they made it very clear that any beneficiary who did not receive his/her own since will not pay any thing to receive his/her funds this time so you can view your payment online by clicking the link below and Login your email account.
Click here to view your payment online
Just click on the above link Blue Color and Login accurately to view your payment online.
Thanks
Mr. John Frederick
The manager of UBA Bank
Of Africa Benin republic.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
