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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:
- 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:
- "security keeping fee" (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 company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- 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.
- cdepartment97@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms. Caroline Miller" <info@leec.com>
Reply-To: <mr.lanres@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:51:49 +0000
Subject: United Parcel Service Nigeria LTD
United Parcel Service Nigeria LTD
Plot 16, Oworonski Expressway Gbagada
Industrial Estate Lagos Nigeria,
Good day.
You have an ATM MasterCard worth $2.8 Million USD which awaits outstanding payment of 175.00 USD (SECURITY KEEPING FEE) for your package to be released and delivered.
CONTACT UPS COURIER COMPANY WITH THIS INFO :-
Contact Name: Lanre Smith
Email: cdepartment97@yahoo.fr
Tel: (+2347067014470)
It is mandatory to reconfirm your Postal address and telephone number:
FILL THE FORM BELOW :-
Your Full Names:
Your Delivery Address:
Your Phone Number:
Your Country:
YOUR MASTERCARD ATM DETAILS:-
ATM Card Number: (4278763100030014)
Security Pin Code: ----
ATM Card value is: $2.8 Million USD
Withdrawal per day: $5,000 US DOLLARS
Personal Identification: 822
SECURITY KEEPING FEE: $175.00 USD
As soon as you send them the information please ask them to send you your tracking number when you send the SECURITY KEEPING FEE of $175. I want you to know that you have every right to withdraw maximum of $20,000 Usd per day while minimum withdraw is $5,000 Usd per day. Note that this ATM CARD of your have been activated and a security pin code number will be issued to you from this Bank as soon as your fee is confirmed.
Best Regards,
Ms. Caroline Miller
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