|
|
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. )
- "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: JOHN IKE <western-union-money-transfer@live.com>
Reply-To: <western-union-money-transferr@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2023 10:45:10 +0100
Subject: FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE
Regarding your Daily approved Western Union Payment here in our office in Benin Republic. After the board meeting of the IMF and FINANCE MINISTRY to pay all abandon foreigners via this channel.The IMF board has mandated that this payment has to be carried out and we wish to inform you that your name and email address appeared in the list, now You are advised to forward your address correctly for the transfer of Today Payment of $5,000.
Henceforth, We await your instruction and compliance today. Please re-confirm and fill in the spaces with your information on how to receive your funds via this office.
Receiver name--------------
Country--------------------
City-----------------------
Tel-------------------------
Test question---------------
Answer----------------------
Note your Approved payment File with this Code ( WU-2154896-BN ) has been approved for payment of the total Sum of $1.5 Million ( one million five hundred thousand dollars) on a Daily Payment of $5,000 till Your Complete Payment of $1.5 million is done.
Your urgent response to this mail is highly needed.Send the required information for your daily payment to start immediately.
Faithfully Yours
Mr.John Ike
Operational manager western union
Cotonou,Benin Republic.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
