|
|
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:
- "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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- glob-couier-compny@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Barrister Ben Rochas <officefile22141@gmail.com>
Reply-To: glob-couier-compny@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2011 14:18:38 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Contact Global Courier Company for your Consignment Box
Attention Dear. Â Hello I have paid the delivery fees of your cheque and all the necessary arrangement has made WITH GLOBAL COURIER COMPANY LTD and manager of Eco Bank told me that the cheque will expire before getting to you. So I told him to cash the ($7.5million) and I deposited the cash with Global Courier Company. Now contact GLOBAL COURIERCOMPANY LTD with this information below:Â CONTACT Â PERSON,
MR. ANDY OFFOR.
Email: (glob-couier-compny@hotmail. com)
Email: (glob-couier-compny@hotmail. com )
Telephone/+229-9837 6685
Â
Do contact them and let me know when you have received your consignment box; send the needed information to enable them deliver your consignment box to youimmediately. GLOBAL COURIER COMPANY LTD, Send your contacts information to ableyour Diplomat locate you immediately he arrived in your country with yourconsignment box. On contacting them, note to send them the above information’s.
1. YOUR FULL NAME====================
2. YOUR COUNTRY=====================
3. YOUR DELIVERY ADDRESS=============
4. YOUR HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER=======
5. YOUR OFFICE TELEPHONE=============
6. YOUR NERAEST INTERANTIONAL AIRPORT=
Shipment Code AWB 33xQT
Package Registered Code No XFT477
Security Code Sctc /5501BDHX/844
Transactions Code 0477/QSTC/117/330478
Depositor Barrister Ben Rochas,
Try to indicate all this codes to them because it will prove that you are the rightful person that own the Package deposited in their custody. Make sure yousend this needed information to the Director General of Global Company, MR.ANDYOFFOR. With this address given to you ( glob-couier-compny@hotmail.com ) I am waiting for your urgent response. You can even callthe Director of Global Courier Company with this line +229--9837 6685.
Yours Faithfully
 Barrister Ben Rochas
|
Anti-fraud resources:
