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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. )
- "deduct your 10%" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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: "Mr. Mark Edwards" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <markedward8019@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2015 10:30:19 -0400
Subject: Re: Part Time Job t
How are you today?
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO FOR US?
My Company needs a financial representative in the CANADA AND USA who will serve as our Agent in processing any of our funds made out to us by our CANADA, EUROPE & AMERICAN customers, Why we need you to represent us there is because the payments Takes a long period of time to clear in our banks in UK, and due to Frequent Request and supplies of product we do not meet our demand due to this Failure So that why we seek your time and assistance.
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Receive payment (America Cheques/EUROPE DRAFT Wire
Transfer) from Clients which will get to you through a
courier service
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 Forwarded By Western Union Money Transfer).
HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?
DO YOU NEED TO PAY FOR THE TRANSFER FEE
FROM YOUR PERCENTAGE?
No, you do not have to; all necessary transfer fees should be deducted From the Balance after you must have cashed and deduct your 10% of total money Received While finish cashing.
REPLY BACK AT with the application form
EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION FORM
First Name _________Middle Name__________ Last
Residential Address________________________
City ________State _____ __________Zip
_____________
Home Telephone Number_________________
Personal cell phone Number______________________
Gender ____________ Marital Status ____________________
Age _____________ Nationality
________________________
Please note: Only interested applicants should respond to this offer. IF YOU INTERESTED KINDLY REPLY BACK AT
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Anti-fraud resources: