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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "rbi2@qatar.io" (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.
- 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: "Mrs. Anna Pouncy" <oceanicbankatmpaymentdepartment1@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Anna Pouncy" <trustbankonlineplc@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 20:32:39 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Good day To You
 Good day To You
Its my pleasure to inform you that We have verify from the bank director regarding the transfer of your fund and it was good news because the requested fee was less expensive for you to afford, your consignment containing your fund of ($4.800.000.00 USD) has been deposited in RESERVE BANK PLC, So your fund will be wired Into your account immediately you contact the bank director with your banking details.
However I went to RESERVE BANK PLC to discuss this with the bank director as its has not been delivered to you However he told me that your fund can be transferred to you via a direct wire transfer(KTT) into your account. He told me to instruct you to contact the bank to apply for a direct wire transfer into your account to avoid loosing your fund due to delay. Therefore you can contact the bank with below information, send to them your banking information.
RESERVE BANK PLC
DIRECTOR: JOHN BEN
CHAIRMAN/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF RESERVE BANK PLC
HEAD OFFICE ADDRESS: RUE 308 REVEREND PERE,
COLINEAU CONTONOU. REPUBLIC DU BENIN.
TELEPHONE:HOTLINE;+229-98 679197
EMAIL;( rbi2@qatar.io
Send an email to the bank with the above bank email and apply for your wire transfer as I have informed the bank about you already. On receipt of your fund into your account endeavor to inform me immediately you receive your fund in your account.
We have paid for the processing charge, and Clearance Certificate charges Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money nor to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.
The director told me that the only fee you are to pay to the bank is their transfer charges which is $155 USD to me by the bank management board members for the opening of new international account here in there bank that will be use to transfer the fund to your noted account in your country and it will also serve as the bank transfer charges.
BEST REGARD.
Mrs. Anna Pouncy
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