|
|
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. )
- ",500,000" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: MR Doctor Boyle <"www..www."@wing.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: MR Doctor Boyle <mrphilipjohni01@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2017 21:46:35 +0900 (JST)
Subject: NUMBER FOR BETTER VERIFICATION.
This is to notify you again that a new development has been made since last
mail we sent to you on 2017-04-14 in which the Benin Republic Bank which is
called First City Monument Bank(FCMB) which has been holding your funds all
this while has been ordered to release it to you. The bank has created an
online bank account on your behalf and the online bank account has been funded
with the total sum of in which you would be able to withdraw any amount of
money daily from the online account,
Please what Ever you want to Ask make sure that You Copy this Email Bellow and
send Me email to this email in Bracket(mrphilipjohni01@yahoo. com)
You are advised to contact him with the information's as stated below:
Your full Name :..............
Your Address :..............
Home/Cell Phone:..............
Below are the online bank account details
Welcome! To - FCM Bank Online Plc Secure Account Page
2017-04-15 Created Opened Account
Balance $8,500,000,00 USD
Sort Code. 00169381101-43372 1020-03-8733
Swift Code PNBPUS33
Account Number 1010169857504
The bank has also stated that you could be able to start accessing the online
bank account once the transfer code has been issued to you and this code will
be issued to you at the sum of $157Usd.The bank has also directed that the
payment should be sent through Western Union Money Transfer or Money Gram
Transfer with the below details.
Receiver Name: TONY ONOWOU
Country:Benin Republic
City /Address:Cotonou:
Text question:In God
Answer:We Trust
Zip code:+229
Amount:$157.00
Sender's Name?
Mtcn........
Mr Doctor Boyle
KINDLY FORWARD ME THE SENDERS NAME AND MONEY CONTROL NUMBER
FOR BETTER VERIFICATION.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
