|
|
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:
- 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. )
- "ups.comp@live.fr" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Robert Erickson" <my-------file0845@att.net>
Reply-To: ups.comp@live.fr
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:05:12 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR TRUCK BOX WITH (UPS)
Atten: My Dear
Your overdue payments of $3.8Million had resolved to pay you in cash,by
packaging the monies and deposite to UPS COMP. inform of Family
Valuable Gift to deliver to you,to avoid another hoax as you
disappointed in the past please do not disclose this transaction with
any person for security reason.contact them with your full information
and also do not let them know that your package contains funds to avoid
them delay your package as i register it in the name of family
valubles.
Contact Them with your information as below.
1.YOUR FULL NAME_..............................
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS_...............................
3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER...............
5.A COPY OF YOUR ID................................
6.YOUR AGE.........................................
7.COUNTRY..........................................
Their contacts Person .Dr.Jim Peter, Official Director.
Email::: (ups.comp@live.fr )
Fax (+229)-96296589 /Tel:::(+229) 99222447
your shipping reference code:AXD-101-87529K, shipment recipient's (UPS)
The only money you will send to them is $55.00 for their security
keeping fee,So call them immediately to enable them incould your
package for delivery tomorrow,
Cheers God Bless.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
