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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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. )
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- officefile5500@yahoo.com.ph (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: GODFRED JOSHUA <globalspeed.courier1960@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: officefile5500@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:36:52 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT RELEASE ORDER TODAY!
Good day dear Beneficiary, It's my pleasure to inform you that we have resolved the issue of releasing your funds worthy of $4.5M from the IMF today Monday, 19th Nnov. 2012, and they asked me to email you back concerning the official fund release order charge which was puting so high since ever these case was raise and the committee have agreed to release it at the cost of $125.00 usd only and your immediate response is highly needed to speed the due process and finalise this transaction without any further hitch. Note: that Barrister Anthony Benson have also kindly resolved the matter via Federal High Court of Justice this afternoon and we have every chances to effect the release order of your funds as soon as you have pay the $125.00 dollars to the below payment information; Receiver's name: ISAAC NWOBU
City/Country: Cotonou, Benin Republic
Text Question: Glory?
Answer: Be to God.
MTCN:
SENDER'S NAME:Kindly get back with the payment information asap?
Remains
GODFRED JOSHUA
Email: officefile5500@yahoo.com.ph,
You can call this department when payment is done:+22998437672.
Thanks.
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