|
|
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. )
- "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)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- 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: Ella Ohams <imagine0@guitar.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: w.u.s.1@live.com
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 21:40:23 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Contact Western Union For Your Approved Payment
Attn: My Dear
We have arranged your payment of $1.2Million One Million two hundred
thousand united state dollars Previously in ATM payment card to be sent
to you through western union money transfer payment: Your payment will be
sent to you by western union. The amount you will receive per day is
$5,000.00 usd. The western union will send you the current standard
tracking details you will need to pick up your $5,000 payment by western
union daily till you receive the sum of $1.2 Million united state dollars,
now no need to send you ATM card because you can not be able to withdraw
from the card due to the amount credited on it. The director administrator
trust funds has already signed your payment, now you are free to contact
Mr Gini Volu who is supervising all approved funds. kindly contact him on
the below:
MR Gini Volu
Telephone: +229 611 49 250
E-mail: w.s.u.1@auditores.com
Be advised to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or
office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment and do not give
out your email account password.
Note that the only fee required, is the administration fee.
Below information is needed while responding.
Receiver name---------------
Country---------------------
City------------------------
Tel-------------------------
Test question---------------
Answer----------------------
Regards,
Mrs Ella Ohams
Federal Ministry Of Finance
|
Anti-fraud resources:
