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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- +22503299248 (Cote d'Ivoire, 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.
- cabinet_david@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- nom.nom@laposte.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "hword.dain" <hword.dain@laposte.net>
Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:32:26 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Kindly Accpet this Compensation
>From Mrs.Diana Haword
Sydney Australia
Dear Friend,
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from Sydney Australia. Presently i'm in Australia for investment projects with my own share of total sum.
Meanwhile, i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds despite that it failed us some how. Now contact my lawyer through his name and address below:
Name: Barrister David Karl.
E-mail: cabinet_david@yahoo.fr
Direct number: - +225 03299248
Ask him to send you the Cashier Cheque a total sum of $500,000.00 which I kept for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts to assist me. I really appreciate your efforts at that time very much.
So feel free and get in touched with my lawyer and instruct him on where to send the Cashier Cheque to you.
Please do let me know immediately you receive your Cashier Cheque, so that we can share the joy together, at this moment I am very busy here because of the investment projects which I have with my new business partner.
Finally, remember that I have instructed my lawyer on your behalf to send the Cashier Cheque, so feel free to get in touch with him.
Mrs.Diana Haword
Sydney Australia
PO Box R1276 Sydney
NSW Australia.
Créez votre adresse électronique prénom.nom@laposte.net
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