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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. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- dhl.couriercompany1188@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Sarah Anderson" <office.file780@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dhl.couriercompany1188@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:18:06 -0400
Subject: Re: PICK YOUR DAILY $5000 TODAY..
Plot 781 Tunde motors Street
Cotonou.
Benin Republic.
dhl.couriercompany1188@gmail.com
+229.662.313.68.
24 hrs 7 days week.
Welcome to DHL Parcel Service
We wish to inform you that we have received an email regarding your
Compensation Cheque payment of $2.7USD.Based on the memo passed to us by the
Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission, we were
directed to deliver your compensation check parcel to your resident address.
We wish to inform you that you are required to reconfirm the following details
to us for proper delivery.
Your full names............
Your present home address........
Your cell phone number.......
A valid identification either driver's license or int'l passport.....
In accordance with the procedures established by the Governing Council of the
United Nations Compensation Commission you are expected to have a valid
identification of yourself as a proof of your Identity upon delivery of your
Check payment by our delivery agent.
We have completed every arrangements to dispatch your check parcel for an
immediate delivery to your resident address prior to your payment for the
shipping/handling fee as stated below.
Shipping/Handling Fee
Mailing $55 00.00
Insurance $25 00.00
VAT (+) $25 00.00
TOTAL $105 00.00
We recommend that the shipping/handling fee ($105USD) should be made via
Western Union Money Transfer in order to speed up the delivery process. You
are to visit any Western Union agent office closer to you and send the
shipping/handling fee for your Check parcel delivery with details below.
==============================
RECEIVER'S NAME: -Jude Anazodo.
COUNTRY'S NAME: -Benin Republic
CITY.COTONOU
TEXT Question: - Color
TEXT Answer: - Yellow
AMOUNT: - $105.00 USd
==============================
Important Note:
(1). we have undertaken an insurance cover on your check parcel and incase of
loss we will assume all responsibilities. Be informed that this company do not
allow Cash on delivery (C.O.D) as all payment must be made before shipment
commence.
(2). after payment you are required to send the Money Transfer Control Numbers
(MTCN) and a copy of your recent passport photograph or Identity card.
Immediately we confirm your payment, your parcel will be insured and dispatch
for delivery to your provided address within 48 hours (2 days) of shipment
from our office.
Thanks for using the DHL courier service company. Your satisfaction is our
priority and we look forward to provide you with the best of our quality
service. Do have a wonderful day in anticipation of hearing from you soon.
For further inquiries, please call +229.662.313.68.
Sincerely,
Dr.Garry Mills.
(Dispatch Officer)
DHL.
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