|
|
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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "consignment " (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)
- 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.
- irsofficebenin@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MR NNOCENT MECCURY <officeconsult3168@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: irsofficebenin@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:41:42 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Contact International Revenue Service(IRS) or release your fund
Attn Dear Beneficiary!
I am writing to inform you that i have instructed Mr. Philip Ayasa the delivery agent to return with your consignment today to avoid lost this consignment in DWF airport. I have arranged your contract value of your consignment to the INTERNATIONAL REVENUE SERVICE OF BENIN REPUBLIC.I have deposited your total sum of Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollar(US$950,000.00) to the International Revenue Service(IRS) and now your total fund will be transfer into your bank account direct.
The Manager IRS DR. ROBBEN JOHNSON Benin have assured me that your fund will be transfer to your account as soon as you furnish your Banking details where to receive your fund. I will like you to try and contact the IRS today so that they will reply you with there full banking service and update you when you will confirm your fund in your account. Hence, they will commence the necessary verification and make the release of your fund to your account without any further delaying.
Bellow is the information they required from you as far as you want to receive your fund.
A/C Name:..............
Bank Name..........
Bank Address..................
A/c Number....................
Routing Number...............
Swift Code......................
Telephone number...............
Home Address......................
Amount you are expecting to recieve:..US$950,000.00
Forward this information to the email bellow and the director in charge will will get back to you and inform you what to be done to complete your transaction without further delaying.
CONTACT INTERNATIONAL REVENUE SERVIC FOR YOUR OWNER WIRE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND.
International Revenue Service(IRS)
Email:(irsofficebenin@gmail.com )
Director General:DR.ROBBEN JOHNSON
Do let me know immediately you contact the IRS so that i will know what is going on.
Yours in-service!
MR,INNOCENT MECCURY
|
Anti-fraud resources:
