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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fudiciary" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "cheque " (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.
- +447011133771 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- +447024031866 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: Fiduciary Agent <online_claimsagentuknl1@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:27:28 +0100 (BST)
Subject: LETTER OF FORFEITURE/FINAL NOTICE
NATIONAL LOTTERY,
ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES
Claims Department
28 Tanfield Road,
Croydon,London,
England,
United Kingdom. Phone:+447011133771
Fax: 44-702-403-1866
Ref: LSUK/2031/8161/04
Batch: R3/A312-59
DATE: 29TH OF AUGUST,2007.
ATTENTION:WINNER,
LETTER OF FORFEITURE/FINAL NOTICE
Sir,
This is to inform you that due to your inability to cliam your cheque deposited in the Lottery courier firm you are hereby requested to forward a letter of forfeiture stating reasons why you have decided to forfeit your winnings, please note that this letter should be duly authenticated by you .This request is to protect this firm from facing legal actions in future concerning this lottery winnings. A copy of this letter should be sent to this company via email and also one copy to UK LOTTO REGULATION BOARD on or before the 30TH OF AUGUST, 2007.
Thanks for your anticipated coperation,
Regards,
Matlock Allen Richard,
Fudiciary Agent UKNL,
Tel:+447011133771.
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