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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "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)
- "ban_kforafrica118@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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Charles Walker" <"www."@snow.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. Charles Walker" <ban_kforafrica118@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2017 22:58:02 +0900 (JST)
Subject: My Dear Friend:
United Bank For Africa BENIN 73/74 HOSPITAL ROUTE COTONOU
BENIN REPUBLIC BANK DIRECTOR: DR: Ben George.
EMAIL..(ban_kforafrica118@outlook.com)
Mobile Phone: (00229-99322009)
BANK OF BENIN FOREIGN OPERATION DIRECTOR.
My Dear Friend:
I writing to inform you about your fund of (US$6.7Million) but i didn’t heard
from you I’m here to inform you that I later find out that your fund was
returned back from courier company due to the amount is large and is very big
risk to deliver that such amount through courier company since it don’t have
necessary certificate and i trying since to contact you via your phone which i
fail many times.
Your country airport Custom will demand for Clearance Certificate and many
other certificate as system of delivering in your country,i check the file of
your bank draft and it will be very difficult to deliver it without backing it
up with the necessary certificate, And i will not like any condition by which
your fund will be on hold by any custom or any security as you know the amount
in the bank draft .
I make an solid arrangement with Director of UNITED BANK FOR AfRICA BENIN
REPUBLIC FOR WIRE TRANSFER OF THIS FUND INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.Now your fund was
deposited in UNITED BANK FOR AfRICA BENIN REPUBLIC for wire transfer,
Its my pleasure to inform you that i have verify from the bank director
regarding the transfer of your fund and it was good news because the requested
fee was less expensive for you to afford. your consignment containing your fund
(US$6.7Million) i have deposited it with the UNITED BANK FOR AfRICA BENIN. so
that your fund will be wired to your account immediately you contact the bank
director with your banking details.
However i went to United Bank For Africa BENIN. to discuss this with the bank
director as its has not been delivered to you However he told me that your fund
can be transferred to you via a direct wire transfer(KTT) into your account.He
told me to instruct you to contact the bank to apply for a direct wire transfer
into your account to avoid loosing your fund due to delay.Therefore you can
contact the bank with the below information, send to them your banking details
information below.
Full name===========
Country=============
City==================
Home Address================
Phone========================
Age===========================
Occupation========================
Attach copy of your ID=================
Send an email to the bank with the above bank email and apply for your wire
transfer as i have informed the bank about you already.On receipt of your fund
into your account endeavor to inform me immediately you receive your fund in
your account.
Thanks
Regards,
Mr. Charles Walker
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