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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:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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: thomas hicks <intpa004@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <thomas_hicks@superposta.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2012 13:54:05 +0530
Subject: READ AND COMPLY:
READ AND COMPLY:
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE
FOR THE COORDINATION
OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIR.
TELL: :+2348074327899
Good Day,
I am directed to inform you that your payment verification and confirmations are correct,
therefore we are happy to inform you that arrangements have been concluded to effect your payment
as soon as possible Due to your long over-due payment which you have been finding it difficult to
receive via a Certified Bank Draft issued by the UN Promo, we have arranged your payment through
central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ATM Card Payment Center, this is an instruction passed by the United
Nations in respect to all over delayed payment and debt re-scheduling.
The ATM MASTER EXPRESS CARD is credited with the sum of (One Million United State Dollars), which
you are to use in accessing your fund in any ATM Stand/location worldwide and remember that the
maximum withdrawal daily limit is Five Thousand United States Dollars. We have concluded delivery
arrangement with the below courier services companies and their delivery time is stated below.
UPS=48hrs/Three Hundred and Fifty United State Dollars
FedEx=72hrs/Three Hundred United State Dollars
DHL=4days/Two Hundred United State Dollars
Kindly provide me with the below details in your response to this email and let me know which
courier company you would want us to use for the shipment of your ATM Card to you.
1. Valid Delivery Address.
2. Full Names.
3. Phone Number.
4. Other Email.
5. Occupation.
6. Present Country.
7. Age.
8. Sex.
Understand that you will be liable for the delivery fee of your ATM Master Express Card to you
with any of the above courier company.
CALL ME FOR YOUR ATM CARD (+:+2348074327899)
Regards,
Dr. THOMAS HENDRICKS
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