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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:
- 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:
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Robert Epolito <officefile2190@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Robert Epolito <robertepolito1@drivehq.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2014 17:46:30 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Re Urgent Good NEWS
I Hope you acknowledge this message information about your personal bank draft.It is today that Government of Africa Union handed over Bank Draft of US$1,700,000.00 to our office today and the certified bank draft bears your name. The compensation stand for your pass effort so far with Africa banks which you did not make it due to so challenges. The bank draft is with me now and am ready to send it to your home address after this brief introduction.
Meanwhile, I called difference couriers Companies here this morning to know how to deliver the parcel bank draft to you and I have made the necessary findings from the courier companies for the dispatch of the bank draft on your name to your designated address that you submitted today. The Courier company demand the courier fee which is compulsory to be paid before the parcel will take off here to your home address. Below is the cost of delivery fare of the Parcel through any of these express courier services. Make a preference and pay its charges.You are required to pay the necessary courier charges to enable me send your bank draft immediately. These are the preferred channels of delivery fee and method, make your choice ASAP:
1. DHL
Mailing;.............................$110.00
Vat(10%)..............................$10.
TOTAL.................................$120.00
2.UPS
Mailing:..............................$92.00
Vat10%:................................$10.00
TOTAL:.............................. $102
3.FEDEX
Mailing...............................$270.00
Vat(10%)..............................$10
TOTAL.................................$288.00
It is pertinent to note that this payment is not negotiable so select any of your affordable courier fee and send it. Immediately you pay any of the three of the courier fee above then I will send the Bank Draft Parcel to you through the courier company that you have chosen and paid for . I will forward the tracking number to you after posting to your address so you can trace the shipment until it arrive your home address. I am await your early compliance & your urgent response with evidence of payment such as mtcn, senders name to enable me dispatch it to you.
Sorry for my poor English write up because my language is french language. I only has elementary knowledge of English. Comply now. Â Thank You.
Yours Faithful.
Mr.Robert Epolito.
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