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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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "million 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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Western Union" <WU@globalservice.com>
Reply-To: westernmoney1166@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2018 16:05:32 -0700
Subject: Information and urgent!!!
ATTN:
This is to inform you that the IMF office was instructed to transfer your $2.5 Million Dollars compensating for all the SCAM VICTIMS and your email were found as one of the VICTIMS By IMF Security leading team and IMF representative officers, so between now until 21th Of November 2018 you will be receiving a sum of $5000 dollars per day.
However you are informed that we have already sent the first $ 5000 dollars this morning to you to avoid cancellation of
your payment.
You have only 24 hours to Email this office upon the receipt of this Email the maximum amount you will be receiving per a day is $5000 so starting from Today's $5000 Money Transfer Control Number that we have send to you is as below.
Payment details:
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN): 1010240718 (Available for pick up by
receiver)
SENDERS FIRST NAME: Tony
SECOND NAME: Cythia
TEST QUESTION: WHEN
ANSWER: TODAY
AMOUNT: $5000 Us Dollars
NOTE; The send $5000 is on hold because of the instruction from IMF office, they asked us to place it on hold by requesting a Clean Bill Record Certificate in order to fulfill the entire necessary obligation So that we will start sending you the payment through Western Union Money transfer,
The necessary Obligation I mean here is to obtain the Clean Bill Record Certificate from the Federal High Court.
So provided this information below:
YOUR FULL NAMES ..........................
YOUR ADDRESS: ...........................
YOUR PHONE NUMBER ........................
CELL PHONE NUMBER ........................
AGE .............................. .......
SEX: .............................. ......
YOUR OCCUPATION.................... ..
POSITION HELD ..........
Further more you advised to call us as the instruction was passed that Within 24 hours without hearing from you, Count your payment canceled.
Number to call is below listed manager director office and Do not hesitate to call us on +1 419-987-4404 as soon as you read this mail and email us with all your details.
Thanks
Mr. Larry Genesis
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