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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:
- "atm card department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "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. )
- "my direct line" (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.)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- 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: Joseph Marling <"www."@cyber.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Joseph Marling <atmcarddepartment321@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2017 23:53:40 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dear
Dear
This is to acknowledge the receipt of your mail sent to us. And after
the meeting with the Board of Directors about your ATM CARD and the
PIN NUMBER our to delivered to through (TNT) courier service to your
doorstep. Your ATM CARD is ready for shipment to your provided address
and the ATM CARD is planted with USD$10M out of your outstanding
Contract funds. You can also but only withdraw USD$10, 000 under 24
hours. THE IBTC CHARTERED BANK PLC. And it is programmed to work with
any Inter-swift ATM machine globally issued this Global Quick Cash
Card.
However, it is our pleasure to inform you that your ATM Card Number;
5453 4246 8631 6475 has been approved and upgraded in your favor.
Meanwhile, your Secret Pin Number is 6114. The ATM Card Value is
US$10 Million USD Only.
1) Reference release No. 544261
2) Payment code No. 9090
3) Merit No. 401024
4) Allocation No. CBN/SBN/FGN 2901233
5) Fund identification no. DM7171
6) 4 Digit Pin Code: **** (6114)
7) Card Number: 5453 4246 8631 6475
Ensure you Comply to this office.
You are once again advised that a maximum withdrawal value of
US$10.000.00 is permitted daily or any amount you wish to withdraw
according to mode of your payment by the ATM machine in your area also
see an Example of an ATM Machine. Meanwhile, I have gone through your
website and got your phone numbers and I tried to reach you your
numbers is not gong through so you can still reach me through my
direct line: +229-6592-9524 for better understanding. And we are
duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any location of the
ATM Centre of your choice/nearest to you. We have also concluded
delivery arrangement with our accredited courier service Company to be
fully insured by the Bankers Courier Service well secured and assured
of safe delivery to your home address.
In view of this development, you are requested to immediately offset
the following service charge by the TNT Courier Company via western
union with the information below.
RECEIVER: FRANK ORJI
COUNTRY: BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY: COTONOU
QUESTION: TODAY?
ANSWER: YES
AMOUNT; $55.00
Send the MTCN Number and also senders name and address to this office
for the money to be picked up. Be informed that delivery will be made
to your address within 78 hours for your confirmation to this payment.
Be aware that the delivery fee receipt will be attached to your
payment delivery documents to avoid being delayed by the customs.
Thanks for working with us and waiting to hearing from you.
Please find the attached copy of your ATM CARD and my Official I.D Card.
Your urgent response is highly needed
Yours in service.
Mr. Joseph Marling.
Head of ATM CARD Department.
Direct Phone Line: +229-6592-9524.
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