|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "affidavit " (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 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.
- 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.
- fedexsecur_compeny@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Prince Adam <amir_vahed2000@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: fedexsecur_compeny@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:01:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: DELIVERING TO YOUR DOORSTEP
Dear Friend
I want to inform you that the fee for your Cheque Draft has been Paid because the manager of Eco Bank Benin told me that before the check will get to you it will expire. So I told him to cash the ($10.5M USD), all the necessary arrangement of delivering of the ($10.5M USD), in cash was made with FedEx COMPANY WORLD WIDE. Here is the contact of the FedEx Company World Wild bellow.
Dr.MORRISON HILL
TEL: +2299989274
EMAIL:Â (fedexsecur_compeny@yahoo.com.hk)
Please send them your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX. This information they need from you in order to delivery your box to your address.
Â
1. YOUR FULL NAME ___________________________
2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS ___________________________
3 YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER __________________
4. YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE__________________
5. A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE __________________
Â
Please make sure you send this needed info to the Director General of FedEx Company world wild in Benin MORRISON HILL. With the address given to you. Note. The FedEx Company here doesn’t know the contents of the Box. I registered it as damages of jeans returning to the retailer. They don't know it contents money to avoid them delaying with the Box. Please don't let them to know that the contents of the Box are money to avoid them from delaying with the box. I am waiting for your urgent response.
Â
Meanwhile the only fee you have to pay them is $105 USD they will use to obtain insurance certificate and claims of affidavit that will prove the box that consist total sum of ($10.5M USD) belongs to you. Is rest assured that all other fees have been paid by me I am waiting for your urgent response.
Â
Thanks
Prince Adams
|
Anti-fraud resources:
