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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:
- 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. )
- "westernuion50@qq.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Anthony Kuma <bhc077@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: <westernuion50@qq.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 07:49:25 -0800
Subject: Contact Western Union For Your Compensation Payment
Contact Western Union For Your Compensation Payment
Attention: Client,
The Board Of United Nation. Are here to notify you of your Compensation
funds payment inherited funds of US $500,000. 00USD directed in cash
credited to file ktu/9023118308/03 after the meeting held 20/3/2014.His
Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA. DR GOOD LUCK. Has
instructed this Department to send your funds through western union money
transfer for easier receive of your inherited funds without any further
delay. To avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through
the global. you are required to send your name and address were you want
your fund to be send through western union the maximum amount you will be
receiving each day starting from tomorrow is the sum of $6,000.00.per day
Reconfirm your information's bellow to avoid wrong transfer.
1. Your full name...........
2. Your home address..........
3. Your current home telephone number.........
4. Your current office telephone........
5.Country.................
As soon as this information is received you start receiving your fund
immediately, please use reference No:STH/UNO/WBO/MM-2014, File
No:GT/55/1209SW.for our mutual convenience.
Please response to this mail address for proper identification:Contact
them via
E:mail: westernuion50@qq.com
Contact:Person Mr Mike Igwe
Tel 00 234-81-34-28-26-29
Regard's
Mr Anthony Kuma
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