|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
- +31641940320 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- staatsloterijprocessingdept@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "staats loterij" <staatsloterijprocessingdept@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:13:18 -0400
Subject: REQUIREMENT FOR THE PROCESSING OF YOUR WINNING DOCUMENT
Dear Winner,
We acknowledge the receipt of your email message to us, with request to
process your winning particulars, firstly we are the Staatsloterij
Processing Department that is responsible for the processing of your winning
documents, All you need do is to provide us with your winning particulars
that will enable us carry out the processing of your winning documents for
the release of your winning prize. Below are the information's required from
you.
1 Full Name :
2 Tel/Fax
3 Ref Batch and Ticket Numbers :
4 Country origin :
5 Amount Won :
6 Age:
7 Occupation
Upon our receipt of the requirements above we will then carry out the
necessary documentation that has be required by the authority for the
processing/release of your winning prize. As soon as the processing of your
winning documents is completed, your winning prize will be release to you
within 72hrs by our paying bank either Bank to Bank transfer means or
certified bank draft. As soon as the transfer of your winning prize into you
account is completed all the documents of your winning prize will be sent to
your home address by a registered courier service
*We await your quick response.*
I hope to have given you the needed explanation for the processing/release
of your winning prize.
* *
Mrs. Susan Van Gogh
For Mr. Gert Homlfred
Staatsloterij NL
(Claim Processing Department)
Tel: +31- 641 940320
Fax: +31 847 195169
Email: staatsloterijprocessingdept@gmail.com
Anti-fraud resources:
