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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "certificate fee" (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. )
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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 required to pay " (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. )
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Mary Adams" <mrs------maryadams@att.net>
Reply-To: geomuga@live.com
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 19:28:58 -0800 (PST)
Subject: (Wb/Un)Your Fund Is Ready Now(No:0986)
We bring to your notice today after the meeting that was held by the World Bank and the united nation for the close of international transfer last year it was agreed that the sum of $50 million United States dollars was raised to help compensate scammed victims who their fund was not released to them.
In line with this good news we are contacting you now confirming that after the fund was shared the sum of $750.000.00usd was apportioned to you as a matter of urgency to avoid any form of delay we have made every arrangement on how this fund will Immediately get to you.
We have registered your certified bank draft to avoid any further delay we have paid for the delivery charge, insurance premium and clearance certificate fee. The only money you are required to pay is the security keeping of ($550.00US) DOLLARS of this draft as the beneficiary of this fund because this fund was registered. All you need to do now is to send the security keeping fee of ($550.00US) DOLLARS also don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other fee except this fee.
Below is the information you need to have this fund released to you.
Your fund
REGISTRATION NUMBER IS: UN21/I8M/WB/BH
DRAFT REGISTRATION IS: no:098762
CODE OF TRANSFER IS:0986.
Note that with this information, all you need is to send the money along today with this information and your fund will be delivered to you without any more delay.
BELOW IS THE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED NOW TO SEND THIS FEE ALSO YOUR ADVISE TO SEND PAYMENT INFORMATION ATTACHED VIA EMAIL.
RECEIVERS NAME:JOHN ABASON.
ADDRESS :LONDON/UNITED KINGDOM.
TEXT QUESTION:ORDER
TEXT ANSWER: 0986
MTCN CONTROL NUMBER:
AND YOUR INFORMATION AS FOLLOW
YOUR FULL NAME:
YOUR MAILING ADDRESS:
YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER:
MRS.MARY ADAMS,
FOREIGN PAYMENT OFFICE LONDON.
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