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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. )
- "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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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: "MR. CLEMENT EDEN" <goffice318@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "MR. CLEMENT EDEN" <servicegood740@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2015 20:50:18 +0900 (JST)
Subject: May I Have Your Attention, Please?
May I Have Your Attention, Please?
This an update concerning the reports we has been receiving long ago which including you and same other foreign beneficiary however in our conference this morning we have treated this issue and i am here to assure the safety release of your outstanding payment worth $5 MILLION USD.
However after the meeting held this morning in the Office of the presidency we have concluded to release your fund through Western Union Gold Card this discussion was made and agreed by the board of directors so i here to congratulate and i promise to handle this project accordingly as directed by our president Thomas Yayi Boni and the lawmakers.
Therefore this requires your immediate actions honestly through our investigation we noticed that you have spent some money which supposed to get your fund release but nothing has come across due to the people in position to handle your transaction than.
Moreover now we are full aware of this matter the government has given us the power to control over this issue and with the power invested in us we assure you that we will complete this project accordingly without compliance we promised to recall your happiness therefore we also use this opportunity to apologize said please forgive and forget the past okay.
Finally the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has promise to take care of the delivery charge and you will only pay $48 to enable the High Court sign your Fund Release Order and your Western Union Gold Card will be release to you through DHL Courier Company .
BELLOW IS THE INFORMATION FOR YOU TO SEND THE $48.
Receiver Name: CLEMENT EDEN
Country: BENIN REPUBLIC
City: COTONOU
Test Question: WHEN
Answer: TODAY
Amount $48
After the fee sent forward the MTCN / Ref Number to us and please re-confirm your full delivery details do not forget:
Senders Name
MTCN / Ref Number
Your full deliver details
Phone number
Please read and comply with the instructions accordingly thank you once again.
Yours Sincerely
MR. CLEMENT EDEN
Inspector General Interpol Police Unit.
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