|
|
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:
- "storage 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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Cargo Delivery Unit" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cargounitg@consultant.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 14:40:10 -0700
Subject: Re: Please respond fast-code196k
Attention: Sir/Ma
We are contacting you in view of your inability to receive your package with Reg #: BK772313GDM originally scheduled to be delivered to you by an Diplomatic Agent from the Foreign Payment Service of the United Nation's Compensation Committee (UNCC).
This package in a metal box valued US$7.5 million (Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) arrived John F. Kennedy International Airport via Delta Airline Flight No. DA460 yesterday. The Diplomat who came from the Foreign Payment Service of the United Nation's Compensation Committee (UNCC) accompanying the package came and applied for the release of this package for delivery to your address and since then has not shown up for the release and onward delivery to you.
I am writing to inform you that the days of grace have expired and we shall begin to charge the storage fee of US$10.00 daily. Please reaffirm your desire to receive this package so that it will be delivered to your address.
Note that this notice serves as our Last Notice to you as our department will be compelled to list your package as an UNCLAIMED PACKAGE and it may be confiscated by the U.S. Customs if you don't respond immediately for the release and onward delivery of the package to you.
It is very urgent you reconfirm your receiving name and address where you want the package delivered to.
Sincerely,
John Hancock
(Cargo Unit Director)
|
Anti-fraud resources: