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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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. )
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22998686909 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- mr.john_morgan50@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. collin Adam" <dr_collinadams@yahoo.co.nz>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: United Nations Compensation
Vienna International Centre
General Support Section / UNOV
Room E-1163
P.O Box 500
1400 Vienna
Austria.
Attn; Beneficiary,
In line with the United Nations (UN) and United States programme for African Union to compensate ALL the fraud victims, unfinished transaction (due to government policies) and unpaid contractors your email ID was generated as one of the victims. You are designated to be paid the sum of Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (US$480,000.00) only. You are requested to forward your data;
Send your information which will be used to procure and send your money via Western Union money transfer or American Express ATM card to you.
1: Your full name.
2: Your home address where you want your ATM delivered.
3: Current occupation.
4: Age.
5: Your direct mobile phone number.
6: A Copy of your identification.
Note that all the bill to get the card and delivery to you have been taken care of by the UNA-USA. But as soon as it's confirmed that the ATM is ready and a copy forwarded to you via email attachment only then, you will send the money to get the Affidavit of Ownership from the a high court in Benin Republic. The cost of the Affidavit is Two Hundred and Fifty Two United States Dollars (US$252.) only. Or if you choose the Western Union transfer you will be paid Five Thousand United States Dollars (US$5,000) only per day until your money is completed.
Kindly be in contact with the UNA-USA executive in Benin Republic who will give you the assistance you deserve on phone immediately.
Mr. John Morgan
Tel: +229 98 68 69 09.
Email: mr.john_morgan50@yahoo.fr
Note, this programme has a time frame attached to it. Treat with the urgency it deserves to get your fund immediately.
Regards
Dr. Collin Adams
for
United Nations Secretary General.
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