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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (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.
- 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.
- ifex.2@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "IFEX COURIER COMPANY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ifexc@ymail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:13:52 +0200
Subject: IFEX WORLD WIDE DELIVERIES
IFEX WORLD WIDE DELIVERIES
PLOT 147 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENT REF.C.T. ABUJA
ifex.2@hotmail.com
Website: http://ifexworldwidedelivery.i8.com/
Attn:
We received your package through one Miss Rose Mary For dispatcher,BATCH NUMBER: KTU/8056490902Your identification number has been confirmed and your package is ready for delivery to your address which you have provided. We do not allow delivery before payment, it is against the company policies.Here are the details of your package awaiting dispatch, when we get your payment information your package will be dispatched.PACKAGE COLOR: BROWN IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: SHCS/OWN/9876DELIVERY.
DURATION: 4 (four) Days after date of payment.Here is a breakdown of the charges to be met:COURIER/SHIPPING CHARGES: $70 Dollars ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES : $65 Dollars INSURANCE FEE : $95 Dollars TOTAL : $230 Dollars,You are to make this payment via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the name of our accounts officer:OKAFOR MESHACH NOSO Address: LAGOS - NIGERIA.
You are to forward payment details to this office via email which must include the following.Also send your direct phone numbers and your Country code to enable us call you as soon as we arrive your country.
RECEIVERS NAME: OKAFOR NOSO
TEST QUESTION: WHAT FOR?
TEST ANSWER: DELIVERY
ADDRESS OF SENDER: YOUR NAME
ADDRESS OF RECEIVER: LAGOS - NIGERIA
AMOUNT . $230 Dollars
CONTROL NUMBER (M.T.C.N)
Upon the receipt of the above information when you have paid the delivery charges through Western Union. We will deliver your package within four days to your destination address which you have provide.
Awaiting your reply.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. Mich Brown
DELIVERY MANAGER IFEX WORLD WIDE DELIVERIES
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