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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "cost of transfer" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "transfer into your account" (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 united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "lagos" (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 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: Foriegn Payment Office <paymentsupervision@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 00:08:35 -0700
Subject: GOOD NEWS.
Federal Government of Nigeria
Office of Director Foreign Payment
Nigerian Presidential Complex,
Lagos-Nigeria.
Dear Valued Beneficiary.
Due to much scam going on in Nigeria and Africa with high demand of money for transfer
it will be very difficult for you to receive your fund through any bank in Nigeria or Africa without
paying cost of transfer charges, money to obtain documents in your name.
A meeting was held yesterday with Central bank governor Mr Godwin Emefele, The president himself Dr Goodluck Jonathan, The
Nanice minister Dr Okonji Iweala and Minister of Petroleum Mrs Dizani Madueke.
We reach and accord that that all the beneficiaries that spent so much money without receiving there contract payment worth $25.5million united
state dollars only will be granted waiver clearance certificate at $88 dollars only.
Please you are not paying any other money to receive your fund all you need to do now is to send the $88 dollars with the name below.
Name OTITGBE ABRAHAM
Address LAGOS NIGERIA.
Question WHAT FOR.
Answer WAIVER.
Your fund will be transfer into your account with you paying for any other money.Please send the information for your transfer.
Your Full Name:................................
Telephone/mobile:..............
Residential Address:.........................
Age/Occupation................................
Banking Details...............................
As fast as you send the money your fund will be transfer into your account without any delay.
Note make sure that you call me on my direct telephone number so that i will be
sure of whom i am dealing with +234 8177050409 now.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs Rita Goodway.
Director Foreign Payment.
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