|
|
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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "wes_un@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
- +22998677751 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Mullar Johnson" <kxxkg----kjkxxcc@att.net>
Reply-To: wes_un@w.cn
Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:07:01 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA ROAD
OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.
Dear Customer
We are happy to in form We have today transferred your first US$6000.00
available for your pickup at any western union office in your City, but
still on hold due to the unpaid activation fee of $110 which you supposed to
pay before your transfer will be posted to your country for pickup.
NOTE: THE REASON WHY WE NEED YOU TO SEND US THE $110USD IS THAT WE TRIED TO DEDUCT THE ACTIVATION FEE OUT FROM YOUR FUND BUT THE MINISTER ADMINISTRATOR
TRUST FUND OF NIGERIA TOLD US THAT NO ONE HAS ACCESS OVER YOUR FUND AS IT HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND STAMPED THAT NO MONEY SHOULD BE DEDUCTED UNTIL IT GETS TO YOU TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDING,CRIMINAL ACT AND FOR SECURITY REASONS.
For your convenience check your first $6000.00 installment transfer online
at on the space provided at western union www.westernunion.com clicks
TRACKING and fill the bellow information website.
Money Transfer Control Number MTCN : 5834682545
SENDER'S NAME:...ROLAND KAUANUI
TEST QUESTION:....What Color?
TEST ANSWER:.... RED.
AMOUNT:....$6000 USD
You will pickup the $6000 USD at any western union office in your country
after 45 mins you send the $110 activation fee of your daily installment
account. You are to send the activation fee today on our bellow information
through Western Union or store close to you:-
Receive by: Anthony Ikwunne
Country: Benin Republic
City : Cotonou
Zip Code: +229
Text Question: 5?
Answer: we 6
Amount: US$110
As soon as you transfer the activation fee, send us the transfer MTCN on our
bellow contact information to enable us receive and proceed with immediate
transfer release of your $6000 USD today.
Thanks for using our service while we wait your kind response,
call me or you can email me (wes_un@w.cn)
Mr.Mullar Johnson
+229 98-677-751Director Remit Dept
Diamond Bank Western Union Department
|
Anti-fraud resources:
