|
|
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:
- 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:
- "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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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. )
- 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.
- diplomaticmorgancollins2@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "DR EDWARD LYNN" <officefile987@gmail.com>
Reply-To: diplomat_morgancollins2@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 06:47:50 -0200
Subject: Attn Fund Beneficiary
Attn Fund Beneficiary
We wish to officially inform you that our international diplomatic agent conveying the
delivery of your consignment box valued the sum of ($4.7M US) misplaced your info on
transit and he is currently stranded right at your international airport with your
consignment.We required you reconfirm the following information's below so that your
consignment box will be brought to your Country of residence by the Diplomats who would
accompany you to your bank, if you want him to deposit the funds in your name and submit
all documentations that has to do with the origin of the funds in other to exonerate you
from any form of investigations or interrogation and to authenticate the fact that the
funds are clean and has no links whatsoever with either drugs or terrorism.
The Requested Information is to ensure that no mistake or error is made and it should be
forwarded in the manner stated below:
Your Full Name:...........................................
Your Complete Address: ...................................
Name of City of Residence: ....................................
Name of Closest Airport to your city of Residence:................................
Direct Telephone Number:.........................................
Please do make contact with the agent with the email below with the info required so he
can complete the trip contained your payment fund today. Contact Person: Mr.Morgan
Collins E-mail:(diplomaticmorgancollins2@yahoo.com)
He is waiting to hear from you today with the information required, NOTE The funds in
the package is (Four Million seven Hundred Thousand U.S.Dollars) and we confirm that
these funds are fully free of any liens, and are clean, clear and non-criminal origin
and are available in the form of CASH.
THANKS FOR CHOOSING US AS YOUR FAVORITE DELIVERY COMPANY
DR EDWARD LYNN
DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER (+22999619049)
FEDEX EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY
--
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
