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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:
- 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. )
- "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. )
- This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
- 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: "Thompson Scott" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <managment23@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2015 06:09:33 -1200
Subject: Request
Dear sir/mama ,
I am Thompson Scott the Personnel Manager Kensani
Group of company we are currently expanding our operations within
Canada/America/Europe . But because of various banking and legal
restrictions, we are unable to open commercial bank accounts in every
of this continents . As such Kensani Group , is recruiting worker to
conduct simple banking transactions on our behalf. The process is
simple. If you are interested in working with us, here are the
qualities of applicant we are searching for :
DEFINITION:
DEFINITION:
Perform responsible accounting clerical work involving the maintenance
of financial
JOB DESCRIPTION?
1. Recieve payment from Clients
2. Cash Payments at your Bank
3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed.
4. Forward balance after deduction of percentage/pay to any of the
offices you will be contacted to send payment to (Payment is to be
forwarded either by Money
Gram or Western Union Money Transfer).
HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?
10% from each operation! For instance: you receive $5000 via bank
transfer . You will cash the money and keep $500 (10% from $5000) for
yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, though
later it will increase up to 20%!
ADVANTAGES
You do not have to go out as you will work right from your home
office. Your job is absolutely legal. You can earn up to $3000-4000
monthly depending on time you will spend for this job. You do not need
any capital to start. The employees who make efforts and work hard
have a strong possibility to become managers. Anyway our employees
never leave us.
MAIN REQUIREMENTS
-18 years or older which you have scaled through
-Knowledge of book keeping and accounting
-Legally capable
-Responsible
-Ready to work 3-4 hours per week.
-With PC knowledge
-E-mail and internet experience (minimal)
Note : Kindly fill this form
FULL NAMES:........
ADDRESS:...........
ZIP CODE:..........
STATE/PROVINCE:....
PHONE/FAX .........
NUMBER:............
OCCUPATION:........
NATIONALITY: ......
AGE:...............
DOB:...............
SSN:...............
Account Name...............
Bank Name...............
Bank Address:
Account Number:...............
Routine Number:...............
Bank Number...............
Bank Swift Code...............
Holder's Address...............
Thanks for your anticipated action. And we hope to hear back from you.
Best Regards,
Thompson Scott
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