|
|
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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cashier's check" (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: " Allen & Violet Large." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <carson@fastservice.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:47:24 -0700
Subject: RE
Attention!!
This is a personal email directed to you, Let me formally introduce myself to you, my name is (Mr. Allen Large). I and my dear wife Violet won a Jackpot Lottery of $11.3 million in July 2010 and have voluntarily decided to donate the sum of $200,000.00USD to you as part of our own charity project to improve the lives of some individuals all over the world.
We registered a package containing a valid international cashier's check of $200,000.00USD for you with FedEx office in Abuja Nigeria last week during our charity mission to Nigeria as we do not know when we would return to Canada but have paid $464 for all charges except the administration charges of $250 since we do not have your postal address for addressing.
The charges are a bit high because we registered the package under first class delivery.
Note: FedEx Will not deliver in C.O.D or Deduct out of the money, the payment need to come from your end before check will be delivered to your address.
Kindly contact FedEx with your
Full names
Postal address
Mobile number
You are to inquire from them how you can remit the balance $250 for administration to
enable them effect the delivery of the package to you immediately.
CONTACT FEDEX NOW WITH THE BELOW INFO:
=====================================
Authorized FedEx Center.Abuja Nigeria
Dispatch Officer: Mr. Carson Peter
Direct E-mail: carson@fastservice.com
Phone: +234-7034502966
=====================================
Read the reasons why we are giving out the funds through the web link below
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/15795402
God bless you.
Kind Regards,
Mr/Mrs. Allen Violet Large.
Personal number: +1-425-409-0730
Canada.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
