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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:
- 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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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. )
- "michael.westbrooks@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "michael.westbrooks@live.com" (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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "DHL Courier Services" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michael2westbrook@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:33:42 -0500
Subject: [Spam]Last Notice For Your ATM Card Number (4247690300768241)....
New Page 1
This is to officially inform you that (ATM Card Number (4247690300768241) has
been accredited in your favor. Your Personal Identification Number is 4301. The
ATM Card Value is NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND GBP (900,000.00 Pounds) You are advice
to contact our Affiliate Courier Company with the information below since the
delivery man is waiting instruction from the courier company DHL Courier
Company.
Note: The only fees you have to pay to the Delivery Man is the delivery fee of
$90.00, contact the delivery man via email michael.westbrooks@live.com as
soon as possible to make the payment of the $90.00 and arrangement on how to
deliver your ATM CARD.
You have to furnish us your details such as Full Names, Delivery Address and
Telephone Number so that we can arrange the delivery of your atm card directly
to you upon receipt of the fee of $90.00 so those information are required;
Below is the payment information via western union to our affiliate office here
in Nigeria:
Receivers Name: Michael Iwu
Country: Delta State, Nigeria
Test Question: From?
Answer: me
mtcn #
Delivery Person: Michael Westbrook
Email: michael.westbrooks@live.com
Telephone Number: +2348126941348
Regards
Joyce Alkins
Head of Courier Services
DHL Courier Company
United Kingdom
Tel: +442033143892
Fax: +442033189893
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The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and may contain
privileged information.
It is intended only for the person or persons named above. If you are not an
intended recipient
of this e-mail please be advised that any distribution or copying of this e-mail
is prohibited.
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Anti-fraud resources: