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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "a security company " (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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "cashiers check" (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. )
- "williamsb2010@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "williamsb2010@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
Fraud email example:
From: EL-GORDO LOTTERY PROMOTION <daxzcv@verizon.net>
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:34:01 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: SUMMER SWEEK STAKE LOTTERY
SUMMER SWEEK STAKE LOTTERY
EL-GORDO LOTTERY PROMOTION Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
AVA. C/ Montera 34, 4º - 10, 28013 Madrid. España
FROM:Â MRS Â PALACIO FRANCO
THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
EURO MILLION PROMOTIONS / PRIZE AWARD DEPT
REF NO: MMIL/3762367224/10 BATCH NO: 2177/001010/MMD
Â
DEAR: WINNER
                                                                                                                   Â
RE-AWARD NOTIFICATION BASED ON TICKET NO-42-23-0-113-69-1/2 SERIAL NO: 7773-95
Â
Â
We are pleased to inform you the release result of the ELGORDO LOTTERY SUMMER SWEEK STAKE SPANISH INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM held on 10th of April 2010. Your name attached to the ticket number 42-23-0-113-69-1/2 with serial number 7773-95 drew the lucky number 736-22575993-86 which consequently won the lottery in the 1ST category (815,960 EUROS (EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND SIXTY EUROS). Â You are therefore been approved to claim the total prize payment.
Â
CONGRATULATION! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Your fund is now deposited with a security company insured in your name. Due to mixed up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to your nominated account, as this is a part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unwarranted taking advantage of this program by participants.
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To begin your claim please fill the information and send to your payment processing agent direct email:
Â
Name:……………………………………………… Â
Address: ………………………………….                Â
Tel: ………………………………………
Bank Name:………………………………      Â
Bank Address: ……………………………..Â
Account: ………………………………….
Occupation:………………………………………….           Â
Age: ……………………………………..
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Please complete these details and email to: Email: williamsb2010@live.comÂ
 Euros Securities Insurance S.A ATTN to: Mr Williams Brown your payment processing agent to enable the agent process and release your fund via bank transfer or certified cashiers check mail to your address.
Remember that 5% belongs to Euros Securities Insurance S.A as their agent commission for assisting you and should be remitted to them only after you receive your winning.
Email: williamsb2010@live.com
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Please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in every of your correspondence with your agent Congratulations again from all members of our staff and thank you for being a part of our promotion program.
Â
Â
Thanks
Â
MRS PALACIO FRANCO
EL-GORDO LOTTERY PROMOTION S.A
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Anti-fraud resources:
