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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:
- "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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Christopher A. Wray" <"www."@fork.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Christopher A. Wray" <info_fbi_officexxx320@yahoo.com.br>
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2017 18:06:52 +0900 (JST)
Subject: FBI DIRECTOR BUREAU (Christopher A. Wray)
HON. CHRISTOPHER A. WRAY FBI DIRECTOR BUREAU
CONTACT EMAIL; (info_fbi_officexxx320@yahoo. com.br)
Attention Dear,
I am happy today to inform you that the whole fees holding your consignment from getting to your given house address has been paid by Government of Benin Republic. All your informations to mail the consignment to you has been given to the DHL Courier Company. We have registered the parcel with the DHL Courier Company long time now as a damage jeans returning to the retailer, the consignment has accumulated a demurage of $115.00 Dollars that is only thing holding your consignment from getting to your house now. So i am advising you today if you really want to receive your consignment, try and send this fee of $115.00 Dollars today so that the consignment will leave the Country first thing tomorrow morning and arrive your house address a day after tomorrow.
Try your best to send this $115.00 Dollars through Western Union Money Transfer or Money Gram today with this bellow information;
Receiver's name... Anthony Peter
Country.. Benin Republic
City .. Cotonou
Text Question..Color?
Text Answer...Green
Amount $115.00 Dollars
MTCN
Update us with the MTCN number and the name of the sender and address after the payment. I guarantee you, no more delay after this fee. All necessary things regarding this delivery has been perfected. So try and send the $115.00 Dollars within 2 hours from now.
Waiting to hear from you soon.
Yours Faithfully,
FBI DIRECTOR BUREAU (Christopher A. Wray)
Contact email: (info_fbi_officexxx320@yahoo. com.br)
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