|
|
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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "sccp@mysinamail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. John E. Jewell"<rafaell@dmaepc.mg.gov.br>
Reply-To: <sccp@mysinamail.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:47:56 -0800
Subject: =?UTF-8?B?WyBQcm92w6F2ZWwgU1BBTSBd?= Re: You are advice to contact Ms. Joyce Okonma
Attn:
This is to inform you that your package has been handed over to UBB DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY COMPANY for the delivery of your ATM card to your designated address stated in your previous mail; however you are advice to contact Ms. Joyce Okonma with below information to expedite action on your delivery of your package to you.
Contact Person: Ms. Joyce Okonma
UBB DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY COMPANY
135, Bishops gate apapa lean out,
Lagos - Nigeria .
Email: sccp@mysinamail.com
Tel: +2347083340332
Tel: +2347060852856
Tel: +234014546224
Fax: +2347060852856
Thank you for your cooperation.
Rev. John E. Jewell
|
Anti-fraud resources:
