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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:
- 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. )
- 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.
- manchestercole@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Rainer Seele <rainer.seele@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:07:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Your Western Union Payment Information
My Good Friend
My working partner has helped me to send the first payment of $6000.00 to you .here is the information; Here is the western union information to pick up the USD6,000.00
MTCN : 645 335 2654
Sender's Name: Troy Cazares
Text Question: HONEST
Answer: TRUST
Amount: USD$6,000.00
Track it now;( www.westernunion.com) I told him to keep sending you $6000.00 daily until the payment of $800.000.000 is completed. and again forward him your Telephone number and address so that he will be sure.
Please, contact Mr.Manchester Cole of Wester Union Benin if you any problem below email ( Manchestercole@yahoo.com ) or rich him on phone call:+229 66535433 Please contact him now so that he will send you another payment today please if you have any problem with the MTCN or the sender name try to rich him by call or email him so that he will correct it for you,
Thanks very much
Yours Sincerely
Mr. Rainer Seele
Thanks For Your Co)operation
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