|
|
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:
- "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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- 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.
- www.western-unon@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Sheila Hill <sheila_donielle@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: www.western-unon@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:08:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
Attention Beneficiary.
Indicating this code (011887) to western union money transfer, The Board of Federal Ministry of Finance are here to notify you of your payment inheritance funds of (USD$800,000.00 after the meeting held on 30 October 2011. His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA Has instructed this Department to send your funds to you through western union money transfer for easier receive of your inheritance funds without any further delay.
You are required to send your name and address to our Payment Officer where you want your fund to be send through Western Union daily payment method. The maximum amount you will be receiving per a day is ($5,000.00),as soon as they confirmed your information as listed bellow, you are advised to contact our payment officer with your full information listed bellow immediately as they are waiting for your personal information to proceed with your daily payment as was instructed by His Excellence:
Receiver name-----------------------------
Country-----------------------------------
City--------------------------------------
Tel---------------------------------------
Test question-----------------------------
Answer------------------------------------
Passport----------------------------------
Payment officer Dr Joseph Martins
Tel: +234 8188697041
Email: www.western-unon@hotmail.com
CONTACT HIM NOW////
Best Regards
Mrs.Sheila Hill
|
Anti-fraud resources:
