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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:
- 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:
- "insurance 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 ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- +22997939879 (Benin, probably a 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.
- fedexservice_companyplc02@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: benndu371@zipmail.com.br
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:05:57 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=28CONTACT=20=20FEDEX=20COURIER=20COMPANY=20FOR=20YOUR=20PACKAGE=20URGENTLY=29?=
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Attn.
I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.Because the manager of Eko Bank
Benin told me that before the check will get to you
that it willexpire.So i told him to cash $1.5M usd dollars infact i thanks
god for that now all the necessary arrangement of delivering the ( $850.000.00
usa dollars.) in cash was made with fedex SERVICE company PLC BENIN REPUBLIC.
Be inform that there are some documents to be secured.The only fee you have
to send to them is( $95 usd) which will serve as the insurance fee and claims
of affirdavite to enable them deliver the parcel to you immediately.
Name: DIRECTOR Dr ROBERT PAUL.
Telephone==+229 979-398-79
Fax Phone==+229 936-982-15
customer care EMAIL: ===(fedexservice_companyplc02@yahoo.fr)
Please, Send them your contacts information to enable them locate
you immediately they arrived in your country with your Parcel .This is what
they need from you.
1.YOUR FULL NAME__________________________________
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.____________________________
3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.________
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.___________
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE___________
6.YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT__________
Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director general
of the delivery company and remember not to let them know that the parcel
/package contains ( $850.000.00 usa dollars.)
customer care EMAIL: ===(fedexservice_companyplc02@yahoo.fr)
Thanks and God bless.
Barrister Kenneth Henry
Anti-fraud resources: