|
|
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. )
- "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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- 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 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.
- westernunion.usa@dr.com (Dr; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "WESTERNUNION" <info@wu.org>
Reply-To: westernunion9289@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 09 Feb 2020 11:52:20 -0800
Subject: Dear customer 226
INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION SEEKING TO WIRE TAP THE INTERNET
Dear customer
This is to inform you that United Nation (U N) and International Monetory Fund Are working towards the eradication of fraudsters and scam Artists in Africa with the help of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Federal interpol Police and FBI. During the course of investigation, they were able to recovered some funds from these scam artists and IMF organization have ordered the funds recovered to be shared among the 5 Lucky people listed around the World as a compensation. This notice is been directed to you because your email address was found in one of the scam Artists file and computer hard-disk while the investigation, maybe you have been scammed. You are therefore being compensated with sum of $10Million USD and your first payment of $5000.00 has been sent today via Western=Union. You are advise to Contact Western Union with your full information to enable them give you Sender Name, Question and Answer to pick up your First $5000
(1) Sender's Name:-------------- John Mathew
MTCN : -------------- 8856694775
Amount: --------------- USD $5000
For self confirmation click our website ( https://www.westernunion.com/global-service/tracktransfersuccess)
Put MTCN : 8856694775 You can see that is funds is available for pick up and you Will be receiving your payment until your total fund of US$10Million USD is Completed. get back to us on this email [westernunion.usa@dr.com] with your information details of the receipt of the transfer.
Receiver's Name________
Address: __________
Country: __________
Phone Number: ______
We advice you to stop all the communications with everyone regarding your payment as we have short listed to start the payment via western union to you and now urge you to comply and receive your funds.
Best Regard
Mr.Pridmoore Graham
Western Union Office
Chat Conversation End
|
Anti-fraud resources: