|
|
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:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- 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.
- tntcourier00@deliveryman.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "TNT Customer Care" <tntc@groupmail.com>
Reply-To: tntcourier00@deliveryman.com
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:11:31 +0800
Subject: Your BankDraft
Good Day!
I have been waiting for you to contact me for your Confirmable BankDraft of $105.000.00
United States Dollars,but I did not hear from you.From Nokia company (Dr.Robert
Smith)went and deposited the Draft with TNT COURIER SERVICE, West Africa,I travelled
out of the country for a 3 Months.
The only money you will send to the TNT COURIER SERVICE to delivery our Draft direct to
your postal Address in your country is($75.00 USD)only being Security Keeping Fee of
the Courier Company so far.
Name:TNT COURIER SERVICES
Contact Person:Mr.Fred David
Dispatch Director.
Email Address:tntcourier00@deliveryman.com
Telephone:(+243)808-277-7059
Let me repeat again, try and contact then as soon as you receive this mail to advoid
any further delay and remember to pay them their Security Keeping fee of $75.00 US
Dollars for their immediate action.I know this email may come to you as a surprise.
Finally indicate this code:GM0081 when contacting them,it will identify that you are
the owner of the $105.000.00 bank draf that was Deposited in the company.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs Jahani Kate.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
