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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "million us 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: LARRY JOHNSON <of053629@gmail.com>
Reply-To: LARRY JOHNSON <diplomantlarryjohnson@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2015 04:03:21 +0900 (JST)
Subject: GOOD DAY TO YOU
GOOD DAY TO YOU!!
I AM DHL COURIER COMPANY DIPLOMATIC AGENT MR. LARRY JOHNSON,
I have arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport USA with your
ATM Card of $9.6 million US dollars, which I have been instructed by
DHL COURIER COMPANY to be delivered to you.The Airport authority demanded
for all the legal back up to prove to them that the fund is no way
related with drug nor fraud money,
I have presented the papers and handed it over to them and they are
very much pleased with the papers I presented, but the only thing that
is still keeping me here is the airport delivery Tag which is not
placed on your ATM package, one of the Airport Authority has advised that we
get the delivery tag so that I can exit the airport immediately and
make my delivery successful to your home address today.
I try to reason with them and they stated that the delivery tag will cost
you $88 Dollars only to get the tags placed on the package as
that tag will enable me get to your house successfully without any
interference,
Please reconfirm the information below so that I can deliver your
ATM Card to you today with out mistake.
FULL NAME:
CURRENT DELIVERY ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NO:
DIRECT TELEPHONE NO
NAME OF YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT:
You can direct the tag fee to our Head Office in Benin Republic DHL
COURIER COMPANY as they will get the tags here for you and they are
entitled to receive and make any payment to foreign countries
authority.Here is my direct phone number to call or text SMS @ (980) 288-4931
Send the $88 via western union or money gram
Receiver's Name: ANTHONY OFOR
Country: Benin republic.
City: Cotonou
Amount: $88 US Dollars
Question: Favorite color
Answer: Blue
SENDER NAME
MTCN
After sending the payment to Our Head Office in Benin Republic DHL
COURIER COMPANY email me or TEXT me the payment information such as MTCN number
also senders name text question and answer to enable me reach them
with the payment details so they can get the tags obtained and Fax it to
me one hand so I can make my next step to your address today.
REGARDS
DIPLOMAT LARRY JOHNSON
Cell (980) 288-4931
call me or text SMS
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