|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
- 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: COLLINS EZEAGU <fundbeneficiary49@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officei370@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2020 22:25:16 +0100
Subject: Attention Beneficiary:
--
INSTRUCTIONS TO DELIVER YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX
MY DEAR
I am a Diplomat named CHIMA CHIJOKE mandated to deliver your inheritance
funds to you in your country of residence. The funds total US$19.5
Million and you were made the beneficiary of these funds by a
benefactor whose details will be revealed to you
after handing over the funds to you in accordance with the Agreement
which was signed with the benefactor when he enlisted my assistance in
delivering the funds to you.
I am presently at the airport in your country but befour i take off
you will pay $500 only for your delivery fees and before I can deliver
the funds to your doorstep as soon as possible, you are request to pay
the fees through western union or moneygram which is $500 with this
information
RECEIVER NAME= CHIMA CHIJIOKE
RECEIVER ADDRESS=NIGERIA
TEXT QUESTION=WHAT FOR
TEXT ANSWER=DELIVER
AMOUNT = $500
MTCN NUMBER=
COUNTRY NAME=
SENDER NAME=
once you pay it forward me the MTCN NUMBER for the confirmation for
your payment so that i will process the delivery to your door step you
have to reconfirm
the following information's so as to ensure that I am dealing with the
right person.
1.Full Name ....... ...............................
2.Residential Address.......................
3.Age .......
4.Occupation.retired..............
5.Direct Telephone Numbers...........
After verification of the information's with what I have on file, I
shall contact you immediately
so that we can make arrangements on the
exact time I will be bringing your package to your residential
address. Send the requested information so that we can proceed.
Awaiting your urgent response. Kindest
Regards,
CHIMA CHIJIOKE
|
Anti-fraud resources: