|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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. )
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "million us dollars" (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 service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "atmcard.remittance@aol.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- 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 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.
- atmcard.remittance@aol.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: atmcard.remittance@aol.com
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 22:43:17 -0400
Subject: FBI Agent Frank Edward: Read!!!
Our Ref: RTB /SNT/STB
I am Agent Frank Edward and I'm here in United State as an
FBI delegate that has been delegated to investigate this
fraudsters who are in the business of swindling the citizens
of our great nation America.
Please be informed that during our investigation, your
email was submitted to us by Western Union/Money Gram
where you have be sending money to those scammers.
You have been approve and sign by the United Nation (UN)
Compensation Committee and President Barrack Obama to
receive a Compensation of $3 Million US Dollars credited
in an ATM-CARD which will be delivered to you via DHL
Delivery Courier Service.
NOTE: The only fee you were suppose to pay from the
beginning is the sum of $285 Dollars being meant for
security keeping fee. Because the delivery charges
has been taken care of by the United Nation (UN).
===========================================
Dispatch Officer Name: Sir. Allen Charles
Email Address: atmcard.remittance@aol.com
Description: DHL Authorized Shipping Center®
===========================================
So, furnish the DHL dispatched officer urgently with the
details listed below for urgent delivery of your ATM-CARD.
FULL NAMES:
MOBILE:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION: DRIVING LICENSE/INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT
Endeavor to indicate this CODE (06654) which will prove
that you are the owner of the ATM-CARD. Again, don't be
deceived by anybody to pay extra fee except $285 being
your security keeping fee.
De-facto Chief Compensation Officer
United Nations Compensation Committee
United Nations Secretary-General.
Best Regard,
Agent Frank Edward.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
