|
|
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:
- 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. )
- "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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "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.
- 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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: REV HOOPER MIRACLE <douglasj891@gmail.com>
Reply-To: financevital39@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 19:33:11 +0100
Subject: FROM DESK OF REV HOOPER MIRACLE ECO BANK DIRECTOR.
FROM DESK OF ECO BANK PLC BENIN REPUBLIC
CONTACT: REV HOOPER MIRACLE
ADDRESS; AVENUE STERMETZ RE 89
TEL: +229 68 57 9276
RE:IMMEDIATE ATM VISA CARD PAYMENT NOTICATION
ATTENETION: BENEFICIARY,
Honestly i am just disappointed at your behavior because you know that
i am a man of God and cannot deceive you. just pay the $50usd and
leave me and my God because God is watching me if i am telling you
lies.
so you choose any amount you can be able raise for you to be able to
get your card immediately
I know it is because of your past experience that make you not to
believe me but i told you before my God who is my witness that i
cannot deceive you because my bible says what shall it profit a man to
gain material things and loose your soul. i told you earlier just drop
your old experience and follow my instruction a man of God and you
will know what it means to follow somebody that fear God.
I swear to God almighty Father. if i fail to deliver you ATM CARD
Consignment within 48hours after you send the $ 50usd as i promise let
God Take my life, i cannot fail you,i promise you. don't fear as soon
as you sent the $50usd today please leave the rest to me and see if i
am lie to you or not because i can not use my life swear because of $
50usd.00
How can i swear against my life because of this ATM card
consignment,but is to show you that i am telling you the truth. so
please try to understand me this $ 50usd.00 is big amount but is too
small for the amount you have to receive within 48hours okay.
Here is the information to use send the money so that we will
complete the matter once and for all.$ 50usd only no more payment i
swear to God and your ATM CARD will leave immediately i receive
payment here okay. I here by giving you 100%Assurance that your ATM
CARD is valid and you can start using it once the card is arrive.
Here is the information to make the payment through western union
money transfer below:
RECEIVE NAME___AUGUSTINE ONWU
COUNTRY COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
TEXT QUESTION::::::;; Almight
ANSWER::::::::::::: God
Amount:::::::::::::::$ 50usd
MTCN:::::::::::::::
I am looking forward to hear from you right now and know what is
holding not to make the payment as you said because i hate any thing
promise and fail .
I am waiting to hear from you now.
REV HOOPER MIRACLE
ECO BANK PLC
COTONOU BENIN
TELEPHONE NUMBER +229 68 57 9276
|
Anti-fraud resources:
