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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- 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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Chris Olis <c-klein1@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: dhl.courierpkgcompany3@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 01:15:50 -0800 (PST)
Subject: INDICATE THIS CODE 011887 IN CONTACTING THEM
Dear Friend;
Indicating this code (011887) to western union money transfer, The Board of Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic are here to notify you of your payment inherited funds of (US$ 2.5 Million USD) After the meeting held on 20th of January 2010.
His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN Has instructed this Department to send your funds to you through western union money transfer for easier receive of your inherited funds without any further delay.You are required to send your name and address to our Payment Officer where you want your fund to be send through Western Union.
The maximum amount you will be receiving per a day is ($5000.00),as soon as they confirmed your information as listed bellow,you be advise to contact our payment officer with your full information listed bellow;
Receiver name:________________
Country:______________________
City:_________________________
Tel:_____________
_____________
Test question:________________
Answer:_______________________
Contact him with the below email address;
Mr Tony Hubert
Tel :+229 98 585 376
Email:(western.union78@w.cn )
Regards
By Barr Mrs Alain Cyr
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