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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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 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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "abuja" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: steven.james70@email.com
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2015 15:20:23 +0100
Subject: You can also reach Mr. William Steven the new agent on 502-694-0915
Attn: Beneficiary,
This is to notify you that your fund has been approved for
immediate release to your doorstep. A new agent have also
been assignment to carry out this delivery immediately and
you are advise to respond back to us immediately with your
address for the delivery and your direct contact number
where you can be reached.
This is as a result of the just concluded meeting which we
held with the United Nation Organization /World bank and
they also paid all the pending fee and the new agent have
just arrive to complete the delivery of your fund valued $1
One Million Dollars. This is to take place immediately or
your fund will be send back to United Nation according to
the instruction given to you.
Your only obligation is the ORIGINAL COPY OF THE
INTERNATIONAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE which has to be
procured immediately to enable the agent complete the
delivery in the morning. The cost for this certificate is
$150 which has to be send to the department to issue it
through western union money transfer with this information:
Receiver Name:Uche Obi
City: Abuja
Country: Nigeria
Text: What Colour?
Answer: Green
Make sure you send us the MTCN and sender's name after
sending the money including your address and contact number.
Understand that this is your opportunity to receive your
fund which only comes but ones.
You can also reach Mr. William Steven the new agent on
502-694-0915 He has only three days to handle this delivery
so make sure you do not fail before Monday morning.
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