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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "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)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
- diplomatrichardsmith007@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: File <officefile4@cantv.net>
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2012 19:19:32 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Dear Friend,
  Â
 Dear Friend,
This is to inform you that your total funds has been Converted into ATM Master Card the diplomat Mr. Richard Smith is now in united states with your ATM MasterCard $1.500,000.00 to deliver to your address, contact the diplomat ( diplomatrichardsmith007@yahoo.com ) or call 2052946780 you will receive the card from the diplomat .Call the Diplomat 2052946780 you will receive the ATM Card From him he is waiting to hear from you as he is now in the united states at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Contact the diplomat with your full name phone number and your address where he will bring your atm card to you.
What you will do immediately you receive the card you take the card to any ATM machine and start withdrawing your money immediately.
Update me once you receive the ATM Card.
Thanks for your understanding.
Regards,Western Union Head Office.
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