|
|
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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "certificate 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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- 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.
- utomsrvicecustomsrvice@rocketmail.com (Rocketmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "scott" <scott@montgomeryprint.com>
Reply-To: utomsrvicecustomsrvice@rocketmail.com
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:21:18 -0400
Subject: THIS IS TO INFORM YOU ABOUT YOUR PACKAGE HERE THAT WAS CONFISCATED BY THIS US CUSTOM OFFICE,
ATTENTION
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU ABOUT YOUR PACKAGE HERE THAT WAS CONFISCATED BY THIS US CUSTOM OFFICE,
YOUR PACKAGE IS HERE FOR LONG TIME NOW DUE TO YOUR DELAY AFTER THE DIPLOMAT AGENT ARRIVE FROM AFRICAN WITH THE CONSIGNMENT BOX WORTH OF $2.8MILLION USD AND WE ARE TO GIVE YOU 1 WORKING DAY FOR YOU TO GET YOURCLEARANCE CERTIFICATE, WHICH COST YOU $150 DOLLARS ONLY, WE NEED IT AT THE OFFICE BEFORE THIS WORKING DAY OR THE CONSIGNMENT BOX WILL BE SEIZED AGAIN FOR THE FINAL DIVERT ION BY GOVERNMENT OF USA AND YOU WILL LOSE THE CONSIGNMENT ,
BESIDES NO CONSIGNMENT BOX LEAVES THE INTERNATIONAL AIR PORT WITH OUT OUR NEEDED CUSTOMS CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE WHICH COST ONLY $150 BECAUSE SOMETIME AGO NOW THE DIPLOMAT HAVE BEEN EMAILING YOU TO SEND US OUR CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE FEES BUT YOU KEEP ON DELAYING THEN WE ADVICE AGAINIF YOU MISS THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY THAT MEANS IT WILL BE VERY HARD FOR YOU TO GET THIS CONSIGNMENT AGAIN , ONCE AGAIN WE NEED YOUR ANXIOUS MAIL DIRECT TO THIS US CUSTOM OFFICE BEFORE THIS ONE WORKING DAY FOR YOUR CONSIGNMENT TO LEAVE THIS AIR PORT TO YOUR LOCATION.
The Requested Information is to ensure that no mistake or error is made and it should be forwarded in the manner stated below:
Your Full Name: ================================
Your Complete Address (not P.O.BOX) : =============
Name of Closest Airport to City of Residence:=========
Direct Telephone Number: =========================
Mobile Number:===============================
Fax Number:================================
You can direct the CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE fees to our Head Office in inland revenue service in Benin Republic as the origin of your consignment box and they will get it obtain to enable the US custom release this man diplomat agent to your destination and they are entitled to receive any payment to foreign countries . Call This Number +229-6468-8821 As Soon as Fee Is Send For The Confirmation Note.
Receiver Name=====Mr PETER ANI
Country=========== Benin Republic
Amount=========== $150 US Dollars
Text Question.======= Only one more day
Answer============= How long.
SENDER NAME========
MTCN==============
if you receive this mail you can call me now ok Call This Number +229-6468-8821
CONTACT US BACK ON THIS E-MAIL (utomsrvicecustomsrvice@rocketmail.com)
BEST REGARDS
DR. GEORGE M. JAMES
|
Anti-fraud resources:
