|
|
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:
- 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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- 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.
- westernunionmoney_transfer28@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "charleselim01@terra.es" <charleselim01@terra.es>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 01:27:07 +0100 (MET)
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION MENU
DEAR BENEFICIARY
How are you today? This is to bring to your notice that your compensation of $1.5 m
USD has been forwarded to Western Union Money Transfer for immediate transfer to you
as soon as you meet up with the directives of the Board.Contact them now.Contact person
FORIGN OPERATION MANAGER
SIR. Frank BEN
WESTERN UNION OFFICE
Email:westernunionmoney_transfer28@yahoo.fr
Reconfirm to them your full name and your adressess country/city for urgent transfer of your Fund.
The only fee you have to send to them is ($185) usd that they will use to obtain insurance certificate and claims of affidavite to prove that total sum of ($1,500,000.00)belong to you.
Yours in Service,
Mr. Charles Elim.
Ahora también puedes acceder a tu correo Terra desde el móvil.
Infórmate pinchando aquí.
Anti-fraud resources: