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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:
- "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. )
- "clearance permit" (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. )
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "westernuniion@admin.in.th" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: "Western Union Headquarter \(USA\)" <bread4lyf---098@att.net>
Reply-To: westernuniion@admin.in.th
Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 08:01:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Money Transfer Notification!
Dear Western Union Customer, Thanks for using Western Union Money Transfer! We write to inform you that Western Union Headquarter Benin Republic, has transfered sum of (US$500.000.00) Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) To our own account here in USA and informed us to reach you so that the transfer could be done to your given name within United State Of America to avoid much delay.
What we are demanding from you is the full informations of where to start sending the fund per day and amount you will be able to receiving in your state Also provide an (Fund Clearance Permit) that will allow us start the transfer.
Re-confirm below details:
Receiver's Name_________________________________
Address_________________________________________
Location________________________________________
Test Question To Be Used________________________
Test Answer To Be Used__________________________
Telephone#______________________________________
Attach the (Fund Clearance Permit)______________
Then Daily Amount Of Your State due to some location has their own daily amount of fund that will come through Western Union Money Transfer. You can contact us via mail: westernuniion@admin.in.th
Thanks for your understanding while waiting for your reply with above requirements.
Yours In Service
George Dave
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