|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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 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.
- westernunionspecialagent@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Western Union <dansallahmuhammad2020@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernunionspecialagent@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2022 21:08:06 +0100
Subject: Attention
It is my pleasure to inform you that your funds are now deposited
with the Western Union remitting office here and we hereby write to
inform you that we have sent your full compensation payment of US1.5
Million USD through Western Union Office and you will be receiving
$2500USD twice per day and we have sent you the first payment.
The Funds are awarded to you by the UN in conjunction with the
European Union, African Union and the United States of America through
the Covid-19 relief package in which your email address was chosen
randomly through the Automated email program set up to select
individuals or businesses that qualify. The funds were sent through
Western Union to you in order to access it faster and am advising you
to contact your funds disbursement officer Mr Jamie Davis with
required information and please indicate code UN309ME for proper
identification.
Contact Mr. Jamie Davis
westernunionspecialagent@gmail.com
Fill Below
1. Full name .........
2. Contact Address....
3. Cell Phone & WhatsApp Number
Thanks And Remain Blessed.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
