|
|
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:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- ekejerry16@indiatimes.com (India Times, India; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Jerry Eke" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jerryeke@galmail.co.za>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 03:30:51 -0800
Subject: UNCLAIM ATM CARD PAYMENT
ATM INTERNATIONAL CREDIT SETTLEMENT OFFICE
OF THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATION
Attn:
Your Payment File has been referred to this Bank for immediate Payment.We were Directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of AUDITS to pay you part payment of $4.8m (FOUR MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DOLLARS).
Be informed that the office of the presidency on your behalf has secured the approval of your payment of usd$4.8Million(Four Million Eight Hundred Thousand United State of America Dollars) and also your ATM Card has been upgraded and processed by cbn.
However, we were directed to pay you by AMERICA ATM CARD, we have down-load the $4.8m into the ATM CARD and in your name ,the password of the ATM CARD will be forwarded to you by our Security mail express to your door step Not by DHL OR any other Courier services for security purposes.
You are advice to forward to this Bank your full contact address to enable us ship your ATM CARD payment to you.You are required to make available your address.
Your Full names
Your contact address
your Telephone number
A copy of your international passport or Driver's License
Alternative e-mail : ekejerry16@indiatimes.com
Thanks for your co-operation.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr Jerry Eke
|
Anti-fraud resources:
