|
|
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:
- 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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- 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.
- mailoffice829@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: GODSON<info@darppon.com>
Date: 24 Oct 2020 04:43:54 +0200
Subject: FROM CUSTOMER CARE TRFANSFER UNIT SKY BANK INTERNATIONAL.
Dear Beneficiary
The Board of trustee federal Government of Nigeria. are here to
notify
you of your payment inherited funds of $100,000.00. after the
meeting
held on 15th of July 2020. His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF
FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF Nigeria. has Instructed this Department to send your
funds
through western union money transfer for easier receive of you
inherited Covid 19 funds without any further delay. to avoid
paying
money to the fraud stars that is going on through the global
world.
you are required to send your name and address were you want your
fund
to be send through western union the maximum amount you will be
receiving each day starting from tomorrow after the activation of
the
MTCN of the sum of $5000.00.
You are advised to send us the required details below.
Your Full Name:....................
Your Home Address:............
Your Country/ City: ..............
Your Age:...............................
Your Sex:...............................
Your Direct Phone Number:.........
Your ID copy:........................
Yours in service
Contact Mrs. Rose Mike
Email: mailoffice829@gmail.com
FROM MR. TERRY YOUNG (Transfer Manager)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
