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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:
- "cost of transfer" (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. )
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: headoffice <charkarp@otenet.gr>
Reply-To: zenithbankplc53@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2017 01:04:30 +0300
Subject: Attention Dear Customer;
--
HIGHLY WELCOME TO ZENITH BANK PLC PAYMENT CENTER BENIN REPUBLIC HEARD
OFFICE.COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU, ANKPA ROAD
OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU
PHONE NUMBER: +2299879 5175
ZENITH BANK PLC SWIFT PAYMENT CENTRE
Attention Dear Customer;
We are writing to inform you that your total fund worth of $7.5m Usd
which was deposited at this ZENITH BANK BENIN Republic by Federal
Minister Of Finance BENIN Contract Payment Office Mr George Dada.
So according to the instruction from the Federal Minister of finance Mr
George Dada,He told us that you are the real beneficiary of the fund,So
you are advise to forward us your full contact bank account details
where you want your fund to be transferred.
Below.
Your Country.......
Your full name............
Name of your bank...........
Bank Address.......
Account Name............
Bank account number........
Routing Number.........
Swift Code if Possible.......
Then you are advise to send us the Direct Wire Transfer fee which is
$250.00 only So that we will remitted your fund directly into your bank
account by tomorrow morning once we receive the $250.00.
We are waiting to receive the following information from you,Meanwhile
once we receive the money we will remitted your fund direct into your
Bank account.
Please note that the cost of transfer which is $250.00 only is payable
prior to transfer since we are not at liberty to deduct the C.O.T from
source.
Your transfer will be effected on the receipt of the C.O.T
Please confirm receipt of this message for our records.
You are advise to Send the money through Western Union money Transfer
for urgent pick up, with our Bank Messenger's Name so that as soon as we
pick the money the transfer will commence.
Receiver Name.: ...... EMMA UDEH
Country.:............... BENIN REPUBLIC
City.................... COTONOU
Test Question................GOOD?
Answer.................. NEWS
Amount...............US$250.00
MTCN..............?
Awaiting your call or email
DIRECTOR OF ZENITH BANK BENIN REPUBLIC
HON.MR ERE OMATA
ZENITH BANK PLC BENIN REPUBLIC REPUBLIC
WEST AFRICAN OFFICE
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