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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. )
- "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.
- westernunionmtra11@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Jane Walter-Morrison <officefile87960@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernunionmtra11@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:41:51 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Pick Up Your Money Immediately
Attention Dear!!!
How are you today? I write to inform you that we have already sentyou $5000.00 through Western union as we have been given themandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sumof$850.000 USD, via western union by this government. Now, Idecided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you will pickup the$5000.00 to enable us send another payment today as you knowwe will be sending you only $5000.00 per day and it was agreed thatyou will pay the sum of $175 before they will release the paymentto you.
Call the Director of Operation Peter Morrison because he is theperson in charge for your payment so that he can send you anotherpayment today, phone +229 9869 6298, Email:(westernunionmtra11@yahoo.com)Here is the western union information to pick up the payment whichyou will be receiving your payment $5000.00 immediately you havesend them their $175 and it will serve as re-activation andre-confirmation of your file payment from the office in charge.
N.B: Direct your reply Dr Peter Morrison Tel:+229 9869 6298
So you are to re-confirm to them the below information,
Your Receiver----------
Your Country-------
Your City-----------
Your Tel----------
Your Test question------
Your Answer-----------
Your passport----------
Here Is the Senders Information
Senders First Name: Ignatius
Senders Second Name: Nwokedi
MTCN: 6412112340
Text Question----Pets Name?
Answer----------Mezino
And We Are Waiting for You to Send the $175 Today
RECEIVER-------------Ejimofor Lawrence
CITY---------COTONOU
COUNTRY-----------------BENIN REPUBLIC
TEXT QUESTION--HOW LONG?
ANSWER-----------TODAY
AMOUNT--------------$175.00
Be advice that the $175 is mandatory as it is the only money youwill pay until you receive your payment completely. Awaiting foryour urgent call once you make this payment.
Regards
Jane Walter-Morrison
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