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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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- 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.
- 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.
- markntepe@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John Zion" <dterzieva@nesebar.bg>
Reply-To: markntepe@aol.com
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2018 23:05:10 +0200
Subject: Attn: Fund Beneficiary!!!
--
CLIENT OF LOST TRANSACTION REFUND
FROM BENIN REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT DESK OF CENTRAL BANK
ATTAKE CALIFUO HEAD QUARTER.
Dear Client this is to inform you that your failed transaction of three
million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars has been deposited to my
office on 10th this month and you have two options of getting this fund
either by converting the whole fund into an ATM MASTER CARD or sending it
through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER so choose the one that will be easier
for you and get all your money before the end of this month, WESTERN UNION
will be sending $4,950.00 USD to you daily till it is complete and the ATM
MASTER CARD will take 48 hours to get to your given destination.
Be inform that all the necessary arrangement has already been handed to
the bank by the Federal High Court Benin Republic, except WESTERN UNION
TRANSACTION FEES of $210 only or ATM MASTER CARD DELIVERY FEES of $170
only, which you will be the one to pay for it to show that you are pleased
with BENIN REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT CENTRAL BANK for refunding your failed
fund. please i want you to trust our the Managing Director (Dr Mark Nteje)
and always be online to follow your transaction or delivery when you
choose anyone of this options.
Contact Person: Dr Mark Nteje
Direct Email:(markntepe@aol.com)
DIRECT TEL: +229-61761755.
You will be required to E-mail him with the following information:
1. Complete Name:
2. Address:
3. Nationality:
4. Age:
5. Occupation:
6. Phone No:
7. Fax [optional]:
8. Country you are Living:
9. Email address:
10.Gender:
******************************
Thanks for your maximum cooperation.
Mr. John Zion
SECRETARY CUSTOMER CARE ON INTERNATIONAL REFUND FUND.
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