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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Elizabeth T. Meharry" <officefile.file71@gmail.com>
Reply-To: usa_internal_revenue_service@live.com
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:08:29 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Contact U.S.A IRS For Your Package.
U.S.A. Internal Revenue Service Department.
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington , DC 20520
Greeting from USA I.R.S,
Contact person: Mr.Douglas Shulman
Attention:
The issue of receipt of your package is not in doubt.However your immediate response has proved beyond every reasonable doubt that you are the owner of the Consignment Box and the authenticity of your claim as the Commission will now appreciate it very much if you will effectively comply strictly within the next 12hrs to fulfill the required.
We are now compelled by reasons of your cooperation to engage the USA customs service which is in charge of your Consignment Box to put into effect the machinery for the immediate release of your Consignment to you and at the same time liase with the Rep. of Benin for the acquisition of the ownership clearance certificate.
The actual charge for the acquisition of the Clearance certificate is $70 and within 2hrs of the receipt of the $70 charge and acquisition of the certificate,your consignment will be promptly released for onward delivery to you.Note that the reason for the acquisition of the clearance from Rep of Benin is because the Rep of Benin is the port of Departure of the consignment and the origin of the consignment.
Be assured that all necessary procedures and documentation effecting delivery have all been fulfilled and there will not be any other requirement for any other document or whatsoever.The delivery will be effected at no extra cost after payment of the $70 .Note that the $70 being requested is not getting into the coffers of this commission but used to obtain the certificate in your own interest to enable us meet up to delivery your package box into your address Country.
This is neither a scam nor a game and all procedures are open and being followed strictly for you to be able to sue this commission or take stict action in the event of non fulfillment of delivery but I give you a %100 guarantee of immediate delivery upon receipt of the $70 today being 10/11/2011,
You are hereby directed to make the payment in the name of PETER OGUEJIOFOR who is our bonafide resident accountant in Benin Republic to immediately make the acquisition of the certificate Find below the details of the Accountant whom you are to send the $70 to:
Receivers Name:====PETER OGUEJIOFOR
Country/City:=======Benin Republic
Test Question:=======what city
Answer: ===========Cotonou
Amount:===========$70.00usd
Once you send the money, try to notify us with the MTCN for easy pick up and for immediate action on the release of your consignment. Please treat this as a matter of urgency .Note that any unclaimed consignment will be either confiscated or returned to the country of origin .You are hereby urgently advised to comply with the instructions so as to allow for immediate release and delivery of your consignment to your location.
So you are urgently advised to comply with our directives so that the Customs will release your consignment.
Yours Sincerely
Mr. Douglas Shulman
Commissioner of Internal
Revenue Service.
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