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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.
- 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:
- "activation 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. )
- "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. )
- "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 dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- accountability@accountant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.MORIS BENSON" <ksconlon@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: accountability@accountant.com
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:38:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: YOUR ATM MASTER CARD IS SUCCESSFUL!!!
My Dear,
Now we have arranged your payment of ($1.2millions) one millions two hundred thousand united state dollars from western union office payment to be sent to you through ATM MASTER CARD transfer payment:
Your ATM MASTER CARD payment will sent to you by Intercontinental Bank PLC, the amount you will be withdrawing per day is $1,500.00 three times only a day . The minister of finance Benin/Office of the Presidency and Financial trust funds of Benin Republic has given mandate to delivery your ATM CARD to avoid expiration.
Now no need to send you this Western Union due to a lot fraud is going on from Western Union office Benin as you said in your report to the office of FBI and Benin Republic Interpol because you can not be able to pick up any transaction sent to you through western Union as some people hacking it and when you called western union office they will get you informed that the status has picked it by another person NOT you .
The Director Financial trust funds and above mentioned offices have already signed your payment, now you are free to comply with Intercontinental Bank PLC Benin payment office on this email: (accountability@accountant.com) However, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your payment by ATM MASTER CARD per $1,500.00 three times daily.
Intercontinental Bank Manager
Manager: Mr. Tom David
E-Mail: (accountability@accountant.com)
The Bank center has been mandated to issue out your MASTER CARD payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment.
Note the payment Office need this details from you to process your payment:
Address Home and Office ----------
Country--------------------------------
City-------------------------------------
Tel---------------------------------------
ID Card or passport by attach:----
Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr. Tom David he will Deliver your MASTER ATM CARD but you need to send the activation fee to them and delivery charges of $98.00 only .
Thanks
Mr. Smith James.
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