|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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. )
- "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.
- 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.
- info.westernunionmtransferbj@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER <info.westernunionmtransferbj@yahoo.fr>
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:39:33 +0100 (BST)
Subject: IMF/Payment of $4,500.
Attn: Beneficiary .
This is to inform you that all your information is with me now so try and send the fee of $55.00 today and you
will start receive you payment of $4,500 this monring.
The payment will be sending to below informations, such as:
Receiver: Emmanuel Ukeje Mba
Receiver:Address: Rue du Gouverneur Bayol;Boxe postale :BP 1280 - Cotonou.Street Name : Sakouba and street no 17 Cotonou.Country: Benin RepublicAmount: $55Question: Amount?Answer: $55 USDSender Name:MTCN :
According to the instruction and order we received from IMF the their requested $55 must be made directly to the above infos.
Furthermore
you are advised to call us as the instruction was passed that within 2hours without hearing from you, Count your payment canceled. Number to call is
below listed manager director office of release order: Tele: +(299)66022854.
Waiting to hear from you soon.
Rev Ramond Paul
Email: info.westernunionmtransferbj@yahoo.fr
|
Anti-fraud resources:
