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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. )
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "accredited attorney" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "mrmarvincarradine2@outlook.com" (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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Marvin W Carradine" <"Carradine."@coda.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. Marvin W Carradine" <mrmarvincarradine2@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2017 14:40:33 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention:
Attention:
This is to acknowledge the receipt of your mail in respect to the willed fund from late Dr. Maurice wohl of which you emerged the beneficiary. I am very happy that we have finally located you after several attempts for the past few months. I know you might be wondering why we contacted you as the beneficiary of the fund since you are not related to the late Dr. Maurice wohl. According to the instruction left by late Dr. Maurice wohl, the draw for the winner was conducted based on random selection of individuals (via )email addresses drawn from 250 countries on the internet index, whom he expects to continue in line with his selfless services to humanity.
Based on the draw conducted in July 2017,your email address emerged the winner of the fund valued $15,500,000.00 (Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) he left with the national bank of Benin which Hon: Mr. Marvin w Carradine is the manger director as he was the one that notified you and asked you to contact me. So you do not need to buy ticket to play the lottery in order to win. We believe that you have read and understood the purpose for the fund is willed to you and we do hope that you will use it judiciously for the purpose of helping the needy and less privileged.
We have noted your information and instruction how to deliver your fund to you by an ATM CARD with DHL Delivery Company for easy and safety deliver to avoid story or losing your fund. It has been mandated by the ministry Of Finance that due to some odd activities going on around the country which has actually tarnished the image of this great nation it is now a must that the beneficiary should endorse the official Fund Release Order document through an accredited attorney on your behalf though if you can report in person that will be perfect and acceptable to the management.
Take note that you are expected to offset the cost of the process on the amount of $1500 usd only to enable the attorney work as the authority demands. We have also sent a report to the board of directors of (IMF) who is in charge of this payment exercise I believe they will confirm that to you shortly as we move to the next level.
It has been scheduled that as soon as the process is completed on your behalf the agent will move on the delivery of your ATM CARD and he will be at your doorstep within 7hr-45m of confirming your payment.
Please for us to facilitate the delivery of your ATM CARD asap you are to hasten up with the required $1500 usd through the service of our great firm Western Union Or Money Gram Transfer nearest to you and furnish us with the MTCN immediately you send it. Also this in the information below to make the payment:
Receivers name: MIKE UBA
Country: Republic OF Benin.
City: Cotonou.
Text question: Year?
Text answer: 2017.
MTCN: ........................................
SENDERS NAME: ......................
Amount: $1500.00 USD
And on a very Important note, Be rest assured that you will confirm your ATM CARD within 7hr-45m of receiving the $1500.00 And for your information, Nobody has right to deduct or Added to the value of the funds due to it is pounded with Insurance policy. The instruction is from the Federal ministry of Finance Benin Republic.
Kindly update us as soon as you send the money for further advice and steps.
Yours in Services
Mr. Marvin W Carradine
Text Only +1(619) 478-7070
mrmarvincarradine2@outlook.com
Information's officer on funds released.
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