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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. )
- "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: arab <"mr.william.kebu."@isis.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: arab <arab9968@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2017 18:39:28 +0900 (JST)
Subject: ATTENTION MY DEAR
I am giving you this light for you to know it before hand. Do not say I did not inform you. I write to update you on the process of your funds transfer status at present.
You have to make sure that you made the payment today as you promise to enable us complete the process of you fund today I once again want to assure you that this $150 is the last fee required to complete the documents needed and immediately we receive the money, my next e-mail to you shall come with a confirmation of all money transfer details you may need to start picking up the transfer from Western Union Money Transfer location nearest to you.
Am waiting for you urgent respond to have the MTCN number today
I want you to be very serious this time by send the money , because further delay may cause the cancellation of your inheritance payment.
Note; when this funds transfer is cancelled, it means that you must start over again after all the process we have covered so far.
I am giving you my word today and that is what it is;...... after the endorsement and regulation of the documents, you will begin to receive the day after day transfer of $15.000 from this office and the transfer should come in split of $5.000 per wire.
I encourage you to quickly make up your mind to complete this process so you could start receiving your funds from our Western Union Bureau.
You can send the $150 by Western Union.
CASHIER; NOSO OBA
Country; Benin Republic
City; Cotonou
Address; lot c, 281 Abomey way
Amount; $150
Question; Ready?
Answer; Yes
Send the MTCN and Sender Name & Address after the transfer has been initiated from Western Union bank or outlet.
Your urgent confirmation is required.
Best Regards.
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