|
|
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:
- "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.
- diplomatic.darlingtonsmith@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Darlington Smith" <darlington.billywayney@gmail.com>
Reply-To: diplomatic.darlingtonsmith@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 06:40:01 -0700
Subject: Attention please
--
Attention please
I'm Diplomatic Agent darlington smith, I have been trying to reach you
on your Email just to inform you about my successful arrival in (AMA)
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport ; 10801 Airport Boulevard
Amarillo TX, US 79111 USA, with your ATM VISA CARD worth $3.5million
usd. Which I have been instructed by Dhl Express Courier Company to be
delivered to you.
The Airport Authority demanded for all the legal back up papers to
prove to them that the ATM VISA CARD ready delivery, I have presented
the papers I handed to them and they are very much pleased with the
papers I presented but the only thing that is stillkeeping me here is
the airport custom yellow tag and International Delivery Permit
certificate, Which they said that I will have to obtain it from Benin
Republic, one of the Airport Authority has advised that we get the
custom yellow tag and International Delivery Permit certificate which
cost $155. So I will be waiting for your urgent respond or you can
also call or send me text massage on my cell phone.
Regards.
Diplomatic darlington smith
Cell :+229 68551674
diplomatic.darlingtonsmith@yahoo.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
