|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "million dollars" (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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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.
- 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.
- +22545231712 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- rabani1968@yahoo.com.ph (Yahoo, Philippines, Philippines; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- email id: j onarban1968@gmail.com good day, i am mr. jon arban (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Jon Arban <jonarban1968@myway.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:02:20 +0100
Subject: swift message
--
SWIFT MESSAGETEL:+225-4523-1712
FAX:+225-2249-1144
PRIVATE EMAIL ID:
j<http://uk.mc293.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to
_rabani1968@yahoo.com.ph>
onarban1968@gmail.com
Good Day,
I am Mr. Jon Arban working in the department of Fund Release Order with one
of the prime banks here in Cote D'ivoire. Quite I know this letter may come
to you as a surprise but take it like your own deal.
I am contacting you based on a business transaction involving a huge sum of
money worth $18.5m from a deceased deposit account which originated from
contract executed by the deceased with the ministry of works and housing
here in Cote D'ivoire of which on the process of transferring the money to
him we heard of his demise that he was involved in the recently Tsunami
incidence which occurred near northern Indonesia area where he died along
with his family.Hence we involve you to authenticate this claim as the
beneficiary.
Meanwhile, his money has been signed for payment in my office before I will
give order to the bank for final endorsement of his money as nobody knows
what is going on except my assistant and me.
Below is the man's information.
Contract Sum: USD18,500,000.00 Million Dollars.
Contract number: FMA/FMF/3-X99/2003.
Payment Approval Nominal Code:will be given to you upon your response to
partake.
On your response to assist, "strictly" do reply me directly at my private
email id as indicated here:
j<http://uk.mc293.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to
_rabani1968@yahoo.com.ph>
onarban1968@gmail.com for more information about the transaction and i will
be willing to offer 35% as management fee for your assistance towards this
transaction.
Awaiting your response.
Regards
Jon Arban
N/B: Don't forget to include your direct telephone/fax number
|
Anti-fraud resources: