|
|
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:
- 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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "loanlenders2003@" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
- 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: "KUIS LOAN OFFICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <loanlenders2003@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:21:17 -0700
Subject: LOAN APPLICATION
Hello
I am Mr. David Williams, a Private Loan Lender and a cooperate
financial for real estate and any kinds of business financing.I also offer Loans
to individuals
Qualifications:
1)The Borrower must be at least 25yrs old
2)Even with Bad credit, we still Guarantee the Loan
3)The Loan Can Be Granted Even with low credit
4)There is no prepayment penalty.
5)You do not need a Co-Signer
Repayment:
Repayment is made Monthly or Yearly depending on the choice of the borrower .and
The Repayment schedule for a Loan is calculated and sent to the borrower.
Interest Rate:
The Interest rate applicable to all Loans Is 4 %.
Loan Transfer:
The Loan Is Transfered to the Borrower via
1)Account swift transfer
2)Courier delivery service/Cheque
3)Money Gram
4)Western Union
Please reply to the private email: loanlenders2003@ aol .com
Regards.
Mr David Kuis Williams
|
Anti-fraud resources:
