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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "insurance 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. )
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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 company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- globaltrustcompanybeninrep333@superposta.com (Superposta; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "DON COLLINS JAY\(SAB\)" <ecobankinternationalplc250@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: globaltrustcompanybeninrep333@superposta.com
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 12:08:36 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Your Cashier Bank Draft of $800.000.00 USD
Attention: Dear Friend,
Greetings. I have been expecting you to come down here and pick your Confirmable cashier Bank draft of $800.000.00 USD (Eight Hundred Thousand united states Dollars) from my client but did not hear from you since that time ,so I deposited the Draft with GLOBAL TRUST SECURITY COMPANY in Benin Republic ,before I travelled to spain to see my family.
I have paid for the delivery charges and insurance fee ,but you must contact them fast to avoid accumulation of security keeping fee since i deposited it last four months before i travelled.
contact the Director of GLOBAL TRUST SECURITY COMPANY with information below for the tracking number to track and know when they will deliver your cashier bank draft to your designated address in your country.
DR. MARK ANDERSON.
DIRECTOR GLOBAL TRUST SECURITY COMPANY.
BENIN REPUBLIC.
E-MAIL: globaltrustcompanybeninrep333@superposta.com
PHONE NUMBER:007086172889
Reconfirm your delivery address and private telephone number to the Courier company to avoid mistake on delivery. Contact them fast as i have done my part and all now depends on you as my client is greatly concerned.Best regards.
Sincerely,
DON COLLINS JAY(SAB)
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