|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- 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.
- +22993434390 (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.
- info_qued01@oued.org
- nom.nom@laposte.net
Fraud email example:
From: "b.justice" <b.justice@laposte.net>
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:42:46 +0100 (CET)
Subject: CONFIRM THIS TO ME URGENT
Dear Friend,
I did not forget your past effort by trying to help me, now I want to
tell you that I have succeeded in getting those funds transferred under
the co-operation of a new partner from London. Presently, I am in Japan for an investment with my own share under the advice of my partner.
Contact Courier Company in Cotonou De federal Republic of Benin because I have registered the Cheque and left instruction to them on your behalf.
I have instructed them to send the Cheque worth of ($1.200, 000.00 USD) to you without any further delay for your compensation. The name of the Courier Company is
Quicklink Universal Express Delivery
Contact Person: Dr Mark Douglas
Email (info_qued01@oued.org)
Tel: +229 934 34390
NB: NOTE: BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS YOU WILL SEND TO THE COURIER COMPANY:
1, YOUR FULL NAME........................
2, YOUR PHYSICAL ADDRESS.............
3, YOUR PRIVATE PHONE NUMBER..........
4, YOUR AGE.........
5, YOUR SEX............
6, YOUR OCUPATION............
7, YOUR COUNTRY
Best regards,
Barrister B. Justice
Créez votre adresse électronique prénom.nom@laposte.net
1 Go d'espace de stockage, anti-spam et anti-virus intégrés.
Anti-fraud resources:
