|
|
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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "million 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)
- "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Rev Fr Phillips Mathews <revfrphillipsm@bluewin.com>
Reply-To: revfrphillipsmathews@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 13:09:56 -0500
Subject: Call The Diplomat Immediately
my message...Headquarter,
Central Bank of Nigeria.
Abuja, Nigeria.
We have received receive a payment credit instruction from the (United
Nation/Federal Government of Nigeria) to credit your account with your full
contract Inheritance funds from the Nigerian reserve account with our
bank
but we can not transfer this funds direct to your nominated bank account,
because we are having a little problem with International Monetary Fund
(IMF) so our method of payment is by Diplomatic Courier Service. (Delivery)
This is to inform you that your diplomat has arrived with your cash
consignment box value 10.7million dollars in O hare International Airport
Chicago USA. as their transit.
I want you to know that you have 24 hours to call him now 9406038086
orE-mail:richardwilliams111williamsrichard@outlook.com then ask to speak to the
diplomatic in person of Richard Williams in the United States, let us know
if you are still interested to get your consignment delivery to you today?
as they
have been waiting to hear from you to help them complete this delivery to
you.
right now the diplomatic have arrival at Chicago in United State with you
consignment box call them now to help them pay for clearance of your
package as soon as he get to your airport.
you are to call him with this number 9406038086 and ask to speak with the
diplomatic in person Richard Williams or contact him through this email
richardwilliams111williamsrichard@outlook.com call them and get back to me.
Note; that you must call me as soon as you receive this email for more
discussion, my direct line . Also reconfirm your full current address and
valid phone number to the Diplomatic once you receive this email to enable
him to deliver your cash consignment to you without any further
delay or mistake.
I appreciate your good sympathetic and collaboration, Hope hearing from
you swiftly.
BEST REGARDS
|
Anti-fraud resources:
