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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.
- 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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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 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.
- info.gregj@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. GREG JOHNSON" <info.gregj@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 11:30:27 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Final extension so cashing.
Dear Sir ,
This is to inform you that your account with bank of Africa contains matured bond with a total face value of portfolio and entire Cash-in value of $350.000.00 no interest is reportable . We will post the bond as soon as you comply to our terms with all the portfolio and you should be able to cash this bond at your local bank with no questions asked. If you're not a bank customer, you will have to show your driver's license or some other form of identification, and they will let you cash the total fund worth of bond at a time. This bond is already in or past its final extension so cashing -in it right now would be a good time for this bond. Due to the insurance policy, no body has the right to eradicate one dollar from your fund .
herefore, you need to pay for all Risk Insurance Coverage $33 only so that we can post it to you now. send the fee by western union with the below: So you are to make the payment of $33 Dollars by western union or money gram for the delivery of your check with this payment details below:- Once you forward the necessary details the Representative Mr. Greg Johnson. and once your payment is been confirmed by them they will issued your Tracking Number.
Sender's Name:---------------
Receiver Name: Kelvin O. Omokwe.
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Amount To be Sent: $33
Text Question to be used: What For?
Text Answer: Cash.
Money Transfer Control Number(M.T.C.N):-------------
On sending it do forward the MTCN question and answer also make sure you confirm your delivering address to enable us post immediately you send the fee .
Thank you and waiting your urgent response.
Kindest Regards ,
Mr. Greg Johnson
REPLY VIA THIS EMAIL : info.gregj@gmail.com
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