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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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: "Mrs. Mary Simmons" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nssaraplic550@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2006 03:01:51 -0700
Subject: FUNDS RELEASE (HAPPY NEW YEAR).
ATTN:
GOD KNOWS WE ARE GOING TO COMPLETE THIS TRANSACTION.
The U.S Customs Commisioner has called for meeting some days back and he was worried with the situation of things that you have not received your parcel even in the Christmas and the New Year period.
The meeting was held and this was his final decision. All document we need have been provided.
Letter of Insurance.
Vat andTax and ETC.
All document needed have been provided, so now all we need to get the parcel to you is with the sum of $155 for final authorization stamp to proove all legal action during this transaction in USA and he his aware you going to pay that.
I am passing this email to you as duty i have to complete.
Here is the information for Western Union Money Transfer to make payment ASAP.
Sender's Name................
Sender's Address..................
Receivers Name: Mary Simmons.
Receivers Address: Des Moines, Iowa USA.
Amount : - $155
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) ----------
After the fee is sent you will get parcel in a day because they are close to you now.
I will be waiting for the MTCN because I will not want you to delay process again, this is an opportunity.
I need your attention and your urgent reply thanks,
Mrs. Mary Simmons.
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