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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:
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- ministryfinance3@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: WESTERN UNION <pnichol0204@txwinet.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2017 18:35:33 -0500
Subject: INTRESTED TO RECEIVE YOUR FUNDS CONTACT BACK TO
ministryfinance3@hotmail.com
--
Website: http://www.westernunion.com/
Address: 455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA ROAD OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.Benin Republic
Tell: ( +229 - 9864 -9362)
Email: ministryfinance3@hotmail.com
Dear Beneficiary:
The Board of federal ministry of finance Benin republic. are here to notify
you of your payment inherited funds of $2.5M.000. after the meeting held on
1th of May 2017. His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN
Patrice Talon. has Instructed this Department to send your funds through
western union money transfer for easier receive of your inherited funds
without any further delay.
To avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through the global.
you are required to send your name and address where you want your fund to be
send through western union the maximum amount you will be receiving each day
starting from tomorrow is the sum of $5000.00. also your are required to send
us your id card copy and address bellow.
Beneficiary name---------------------
Address--------------------------------
Tel phone-----------------------------
Note that the transfer charge of your transaction will be taken care of by
the Ministry of Finance Manager, so you will not have to Re-pay for
the transfer
charge. The only money you will have to pay is $250.00USD for the
Stamp duty and
endorsement for the Authorization. Upon your reply and confirmation of
your details
your will be advice on further proceedings when you contact the office.
Contact with this information below:
CONTACT PERSON: MR PAUL JAMES
Telephone: +229-9864 9362
EMAIL: ministryfinance3@hotmail.com
We await to receive your respond.Please if you are not the real beneficiary
don't respond on this,Call MR PAUL JAMES on this number +229 986 493 62 for
him to know that you have contacted him
with your information's.
Yours in service
Mary Johnson (ESQ).
Finance Ministry
Federal republic of Benin.
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