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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:
- "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)
- "million united states dollars" (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 agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Lucia Brooks <info@usa.org>
Reply-To: <onupatrick2016@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2018 14:39:57 +0100
Subject: YOUR FUND HAS ARRIVED
Attention,
I wish to inform you that the diplomatic agent conveying your
consignment valued the sum of $7.4 Million United States Dollars
misplaced your address and he is currently stranded at your
International airport now. We required you reconfirm the following in
formations below so that he can deliver your consignment to you today.
(1)YOUR FULL NAME: _______
(2)HOME/OFFICE ADDRESS: _____
(3)MOBILE PHONE NUMBER: ____
(4)A COPY OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION: ___
Please do contact the diplomatic agent Mr.Emeka Obi
Never forget to forward the diplomat agent your deposit details in
order for him to act fast and moved the Box to your address.
Deposit Number: PLCC-101-PL45
Sort/Clearance Code: PLC/101-45/P50
Deposit Certificate N0.: 405576
Consignment Description: 1 Box Sensitive Photographic Film Material,
Depositor: Mr.Ronald Meyer,
Make sure you quote the deposit details well to avoid misinformation.
Write an application and quote the deposit details to the given
address. Note this. The Diplomatic Agent Mr Patrick Onu does know the
contents of the Box.I registered it as a BOX of Sensitive Photographic
Film Material. he did not know the contents was money. this is to
avoid them delaying with the BOX.Never disclose the content with him.
I have paid the delivery charges of this consignment.
Regards
Mrs Lucia Brooks
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