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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:
- "i will like you to " (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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: FRED IBE <jjhaj@ymail.com>
Reply-To: wesuniondepat02@sify.com
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:57:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION IMMEDIATELY TO PICK UP YOUR $5000
How are you doing today with your family ? My dear?
I am really confused here right now as our department is now trying to cancel your payment because of your delaying of sending the Renew and reconfirmation of your transfer file fee which is $105.
Now listen carefully my dear i will not blame you for all this delaying because maybe you don't have the money but please i want you to try as you can and see if you can raise the fee of $105.00 within today and tomorrow because that is only way we can get out of this problem now.
I advise you and i swear too that $105.00 is only money you will pay and if send it today you will pick up your first of $5.000.00 by tomorrow which we already sent to you this morning as our normal transfer but you can not pick it up as for now untill you pay the charge,
After the payment of $105.00 your payment we will give the full informations to pick up your $5.000.00 through western union, Here is the informations to send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below:
1. Receiver Name___AUSTIN GINIKA
2. City/Country__Cotonou/Benin Republic.
3. Question___How Much
4. Answer___$105.00
5. Amonut___US$105.00
Forward the payment control number, sender name and address after sending the money to enable pick up the money in this Department office here.
Note: that any delay can make us to stop the transfer and divert the payment to govement fund so that any time you ready then you have to contact (IMF OFFICE)for your payment because we will enter a new year project very soon.
THIS IS YOUR TRACKING PAYMENT INFORMATIONS AND I WILL LIKE YOU TO TRACK IT NOW: WEB SITE. www.westernunion.com
Status : Available for pick up by receiver
first Name.....Prince
Last Name....Okwara
Mtcn............. 9481588153
Text Question: In N God
Answer: We Turst
Amount: Us$5000 Dolars
I am looking forward to receive of $105.00 immediately to enable us give you the full informations which you will use pick up your first payment in any western union by tomorrow.
I wish you good luck.
Yours in service
MR,FRED IBE
PHONE: +22999484167
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