|
|
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.
- 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. )
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- 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.
- diamondbank_dbk1@mail.md (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- ewelem tel; +229 98 56 43 44 email: diamondbank_dbk1@mail.md email: western_union_money_transfer667@yahoo.com immediately (Mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Hon. Heline Nkem" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <helinenkem_org2010@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:22:54 -0000
Subject: Contact Diamond Bank for the rest of the details
Attn: Beneficiary,
We are writing to inform you that your fund worthy of One Million five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($1, 500.000.00) has been handed over to the Diamond Bank Plc to transfer the fund through our western union according to the instruction of the Federal Ministry of Finance.Base
the outcome of the last meeting held 25th of June, 2010.
The Federal Ministry of Finance has appointed Diamond Bank Plc to carry out of transfer of outstanding fund to the beneficiaries who have not received their outstanding payment due to one reason or the other According to Mr. President his excellence Dr. Yayi Aboni who made this known to the every one that was present in
that meeting. From today onward you are advised to stop further contact with other bank who claimed to have your fund in their bank because your fund will be transfer to you $6800.00 daily through the western union money transfer under the Diamond Bank Plc.
Note: you are require to send $730.00 for the stamping fee of your payment file,instruction from federal ministry of finance that once the stamping fee have been confirmed. That is only thing you have to do to enable text question and answer release to you with other relevant details regarding your transfer.
SENDER'S FIRST NAME:===== prince
SENDER'S LAST NAME: ===== Okwara
MTCN: =========7890805806
AMOUNT: ========$6000.
That is only thing it requires for stamping of the payment file to enable Diamond Bank Plc stamp and endorse your payment file immediately for the immediate release of all your payment details to enable you pick out your fund in any western union office in your country.
You are advised to reconfirm the following details:
(1)Your Full Name: ____
(2) Your full billing address: ____
(3) Your occupation: ______
(4) Your identity: _____
(5) Your age:______
(6) Your country: ____
(7) Your telephone number: _____
Forward the following details to the listed department for the immediate transfer of your
fund.Diamond Bank plc Cotonou Benin Republic.
Contact Person:Robinsons Ewelem
Tel; +229 98 56 43 44
Email: diamondbank_dbk1@mail.md
Email: western_union_money_transfer667@yahoo.com
Immediately they confirm the above information's in your next reply they will commence the transferring of the fund to you.
Thanks,Yours
Sincerely
Hon.Mrs.Heline Nkem
|
Anti-fraud resources:
