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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:
- 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:
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "atm_unificationdraw@live.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- +447045743760 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "ATM CARD NOTIFICATION" <info@atm.org>
Reply-To: atm_unificationdraw@live.com
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:08:24 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: ATTENTION!!!!
UNITED NATION OFFICE
FOR THE COORDINATION
OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIR
Our Ref: FGN/SNT/RAL
Your Ref: SNT/ATM/822
United Kingdom
Attn:
I am directed to inform you that ATM Card Number: 5428050011004432 have
been approved in your favour. The ATM Card Value is (One Million Great
Britain Pounds) You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of
5,000.00GBP is permitted on withdrawal per day and are duly Inter Switch
so you can make withdrawal in any location and ATM Center of your choice.
We have concluded delivery arrangement with the ups courier services.
Please note that the UPS Courier Company is fully insured by Nicon
Insurance Corporation. Please be inform that your delivery cost will be
paid in other for us to proceed with the delivery of your ATM card, with
these fee we can proceed to your given datas below, and please be informed
that the delivery will be made to your address in 48 hours (2 days) after
our confirmation of this payment for delivery, as you know that the
delivery fee receipt will be used to attach on your payment delivery
documents to avoid being delayed by customs.
Kindly provide the details below for delivery.
Paulson Wright
Email : atm_unificationdraw@live.com
Phone Number : +447045743760.
Your Details:
1. Valid delivery address
2. Name
3. Phone Number
4. Occupation
5. Nationality.
Treat urgently and note that your ATM Card is ready and available for
dispatch to you.
Regards,
Dr. Sandra Dalwin
HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT.
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