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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 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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "DR.ZAC HALIBERS" <drzac_cbn@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: zachalibers2007@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:19:51 +0000
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT YOUR PAYMENT IS READY FOR CLAIM FROM UK.
--
>From The Desk of DR.ZAC HALIBERS
CBN Consultant/ Fudeciary Agent,
Link Investment Company,
Tel; +447418478387
London Office United Kingdom
Dear (CONTRACTOR)
I have studied your file carefully and discovered some discrepancies
in it that need to be corrected.
I have re-treated the file to match up with international payment
standard as against the pollution they have created after the death of
the former accountant who was incharge of your payment as your funds
manager.
I sat down within myself to do this and finally discovered the payment
arrangement was nothing but A DEAL but unfortunately the former
officers ran away when the accountant died because they do not want to
risk jail.
However, i want to help you this time around to help myself on this
matter so therefore i'm trying to perfect every documentation from
here to suit the purpose of the latest payment of Diplomatic way.
I have included your file details among the consignment to be carry
out of the country in cash payment delivery to your country and the
approval have been out now.
The Agent will be leaving to your destination by next tomorrow once i hear
from you
and he will contact you to let you know when and how you shall receive
the fund.
The programme is that you will settle the customs and clearing charges
when he get there and he will assist you to the Bank with his
Diplomatic immunity to deposit the fund on your behalf BUT is has to
be in peace meal according to the Agent/Diplomat.
His name will be giving to you once i hear from you and your number will
be given to him to
reach you when he get there.
Therefore you are advise to forward the following informations to me.
NAME.......
ADDRESS......
CELL/TEEFAX.....
ACOPY OF INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT/DRIVER'S LICENSE......
NAME OF THE NEAREST AIRPORT TO YOU.............
If there is any question you may need to ask now please go ahead and
do that before he leaves next tomorrow evening. You are advise to
reconfirmed
to me your direct cell number
were the agent coming can reach you on phone upon his arrival in your
country what is the name of the nearest Airport to your city very
important you get back to me Asap.
I await your response.
Regards,
>From The Desk of DR.ZAC HALIBERS
CBN Consultant/ Fudeciary Agent,
Link Investment Company,
Tel; +447418478387
London Office United Kingdom
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