|
|
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:
- 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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "cotonou" (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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a 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.
- +229981 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: Frank EZE <andrea.giraudi@alice.it>
Reply-To: western_union2015@126.com
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2015 01:00:47 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Bellow is your first payment for $5000 usd sent today.
Western Union Send Money Worldwide
Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer office Benin Republic.
ADDRESS: 17, BP OPPOSITE POST OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC.
Website: www.westernunion.com
Dear Costumer Email alert:
The Western Union Money Transfer Service Benin Republic headquarters wishes to
inform you that our government has paid part of the fees needed for the final
release of your funds $10.500,000.00 USD to you this month through our Western
Union Office here in Benin Republic to avoid you sending much money to African
scam again.
And for your information the maximum amount you will be receiving starting from
tomorrow is $5000 USD till your total funds of $10.500,000.00 USD is complete
transferred to you and we have been strongly to send you the first payment of
$5000 USD today through our payment system here before we find out that your
payment file need to renew from world Bank central system.And we listed bellow
for your first payment of $5000 usd been sent in your name today morning but
you will not pickup the money unless you send the fee of US$75.00 require to
renew and reconfirm your payment file to us through the World Bank Central
System here in Benin Repulic.
Bellow is your first payment for $5000 usd sent today.
Sender's Name: Clarence Corass
Amount Sent $5000 Usd
Mtcn# .8413876410
Text Question: When
Text Answer: Now
You can also track it on-line Website; https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=NG
Send the fee directly with the name as outline below use it to send the money
via western union to enable us pick it from our department here and reconfirm
your payment file approval from the world Bank central and commerce your daily
payment immediately. we also repeat again, you will not pickup the money unless
you send the fee of US$75 require to renew and reconfirm your payment file to
us through the World Bank Central System in Benin Republic.
So if you would prefer to start receiving your payment first thing tomorrow in
the morning hurry up and send the renew and reconfirmation of your payment file
fees $75 usd with bellow information via money GRAM transfer service ONLY,
HERE IS THE OR MONEY GRAM PAYMENT INFORMATION TO SEND THE $75 COURIER FEE:
RECEIVER NAME: / Livenus Amobi
CITY: / COTONOU
COUNTRY: / BENIN REPUBLIC
TEST QUESTION: / Yes
TEST ANSWER: / Yes
AMOUNT: / $75
MTCN; /
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) is needed and sender's name
Finally Notice: This payment you are receiving is coming directly from World
Bank assistance programmable 2015 promo, so its risk free and we the western
union headquarters has agree to start sending you the payment immediately you
meet up with our demand in this latter.But after 2days you did not reply stand
the risk of cancel your payment and have it return back to government
Yours respectfully,
Mr.Frank EZE
CALL Him +229-981_780_07
Director Western Union Payments
|
Anti-fraud resources: