|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- w_group.org@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Sabastien Evain " <w_group.org@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: donaldjohnson696@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2017 16:11:11 -0700
Subject: beneficiary of a fund
Hello and good day.
The board of directors here in Bank Of West Africa wishes to remind
you of your long outstanding fund as a beneficiary of a fund with West Africa as the origin.
We're of a good advice that you follow our directive for the immediate release of your fund.
The next batch of funds withheld will be released in less than 72
hours. We have set up an account with your information in this regards.
All you have to do right now is send the account activation fee of $250
to our fund unit in Benin Republic. They will receive the activation fee
which will then be paid into your account and your account is ready for
the immediate deposit of the fund due to you.
You must stop any further communication with any impostors.
Send the fee through WESTERN UNION FAST TRANSFER or Moneygram as soon as possible
to the below details
Receiver's Name: Ibe Ezi
Receiver's Address: Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Email adress; w_group.org@yahoo.com
Get back to us with the payment information as soon as it is done to
enable us proceed on your account.
Signed: Dr Sabastien Evain
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
|
Anti-fraud resources:
