|
|
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:
- "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. )
- "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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- 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: "Diplomat Agent." <ralphjohn20@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: dippauleze2007@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2012 23:31:45 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Attention,
Attention,
I’m Diplomat Dr.Paul Eze: I have been trying to reach you on your
telephone about an hour now just to inform you about my successful arrival
in gatwick International Airport UK with your two boxes of consignment
worth $2.5M USD which I have been instructed by UPS COURIER COMPANY to be
delivered to you.
Â
The Airport authority demanded for all the legal back up papers to prove
to them that the fund is no way related with drug nor fraud money, I have
presented the papers I handed to them and they are very much pleased with
the paper’s I presented but the only thing that is still keeping me here
is the airport delivery Tag which is not placed on the boxes,one of the
Airport Authority has advise that we get the delivery tag so that I can
exit the airport immediately and make my delivery successful .I try to
reason with them and they stated the delivery tag will cost you just $85
Dollars only to get the two tag placed on the boxes as that tag will
enable me get to your house successfully without any interference, they
scanned the boxes and found out that the fund is 100 % spend able and
accepted by any bank in the whole world.
Â
Please try working for the money as I can not afford to spend more time
here due to other delivery I have to take care of in Bangkok. Here are the
papers backing the funds together with my ID CARD as I can accompany you
to your bank were you will deposit the fund successfully with these
papers. I have I more vital paper with me but I can only present you the
hard copy when I reach your house as that it’s the diplomatic rules, such
as authorization to deliver.
Â
You can direct the tag fee to our Head Office as they will get it here for
you and they are entitled to receive and make any payment to foreign
Receiver          John Onyi
Country            Benin Republic
City                   Cotonou
Amount              $85 US Dollars
Text Question.    How Long?
Answer                   Today
SENDER NAME:
Sender' address:
MTCN:
Â
Regard
Diplomat Agent.
Dr.Paul Eze;
Call Me +229 6743 9421.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
