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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:
- 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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (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.
- 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: "JUSTICE EMMANUEL AYOOLA"<justiceemmanuelayoola51@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:49:18 +0100
Subject: FROM JUSTICE EMMANUEL AYOOLA
ANTI-FRAUD UNIT OFFICE
ASO ROCK VILLA, ASOKORO DISTRICT, ABUJA
CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY PAYMENT
FROM THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE EMMANUEL AYOOLA
TELEPHONE: +2347059938862
Attention: Beneficiary.
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT/INHERITANCE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
We have received a payment credit instruction from the United Nation Organization (UNO) to credit your account with your full contract/inheritance funds from the Nigerian Reserved Account with our Bank. This is to notify you that your name is among the names of contractors/inheritors whom the Federal Government of Nigeria have been programmed for immediate release of their payment into your nominated bank account, however, We have two mode of payment (1) Wire Transfer fund direct to nominated bank account (2) international Certified Bank draft.
Some of these payments were delayed due to a little problem we had with international monetary fund (IMF) to pay the foreign contractors/inheritors which have been resolved. Be informed now that every arrangement regarding your payment has been made. For security reasons you are advised to follow the rules and regulation of the claim for easy payment and also to enable us process your payment without delay.
So you are advised to choose the mode of payment you like and provide the following information's to enhance to process your claim.
Your full Name:
Your complete Address:
Country:
Direct Telephone Number:
Mobile Number:
Occupation:
Best Regards
JUSTICE EMMANUEL AYOOLA
DIRECTOR ANTI-FRAUD UNIT.
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