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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:
- 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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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.
- 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.
- sundayemmanuel7@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.CHUKWUEMEKA EMMANUEL SUNDAY" <fedexcoexpress@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: sundayemmanuel7@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:09:44 +0100 (BST)
Subject: SPEED TRUST COURIER COMPANY BENIN.
SPEED TRUST COURIER COMPANY BENIN.
RUE RUE 4688 NKURUMAH WAY COTONOU
REPUBLIC OF BENIN WEST AFRICA.
FROM THE DESK OF MR.CHUKWUEMEKA EMMANUEL SUNDAY.
E-mail: (sundayemmanuel7@yahoo.co.uk ( +229) 98-44-58-51 ).
Attention Please,
I Am Mr Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Sunday. the DIRECTOR SPEED TRUST COURIER COMPANY BENIN, :I write to inform you that the release of your package with reference number 2661428 which has been in Customs custody have been released for delivery to your delivery address by the direct delivery agent. Now we are waiting for you to contact us regarding your consignment that has been "on hold" by USA Customs Department for which they are requesting for clearance certificate from the origin of the box before it will be released to our agent to complete the delivery.
It has been resolved that the delivery of your consignment to your address must be completed upon your compliance to our directives to obtain the needed Proof of Ownership/Clearance Certificate for you, from Benin Republic.
The Proof of Ownership/Clearance Certificate charges which was initially on the high price has been cut down to $65. by the US Embassy in Benin Republic considering the poor economic situations that make it difficult for the middle class citizens to meet up with the clearance of their entitlement and that is the major reason why we intervened.
We will upon your prompt response assign our direct Diplomatic Agent to collect your consignment and proceed with the delivery. You should reconfirm the below information for the processing/obtaining the needed Proof of Ownership/Clearance Certificate from Benin Republic because that is what the Customs are waiting for.
1- Your Full Name:__________________
2- Your Delivery Address: __________________
3- Your Contact Telephone Number: __________________
4- Your Identification (Passport number or ID Card number): id- number__________________
5- Your Nearest International airport : __________________
The US Customs will release your consignment to you and it will be delivered to you by our direct delivery agent once you reconfirm your current receiving details, You can contact us with the following information, if you real want your consingnment to be released to you without any more delay you are to reconfirm your current receiving details and allso send 65Dollars TO UDEH JOHNSON.
HERE IS THE RECEIVER NAME AND ADDRESS. CALL ME ON MY CELL PHONE AS SOON AS YOU MAKE THE PAYMENT ( +229) 98-44-58-51 )
Receiver's Name /Emeka Peter
Country\ Benin republic in west africa
Cty/ Cotonou
test? amount
Answer 65 DOLLARS
Note that any unclaimed consignment will be returned to Benin Republic Government after 7 days. So you are advised to comply with our directives so that the U.S Customs will release your consignment. I expect that you have read this notification message very clearly and have complied with the instructions by acting on this directives accordingly for the sole purpose of obtaining your Proof of Ownership/Clearance Certificate so that our Delivery agent will meet up with the delivery.
Yours Sincerely
MR.CHUKWUEMEKA EMMANUEL SUNDAY
DIRECTOR SPEED TRUST COURIER COMPANY BENIN, +229 98-44-58-51
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