|
|
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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: IMF General Secretary <officeindia49@gmail.com>
Reply-To: IMF General Secretary <dhlcourier050@itbox.ro>
Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 20:00:29 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Your atm card is $850.000.00
 From: International Monetary Fund [IMF]
OFFICE ADDRESS: #6-8 BURLINGTON PARADE
Attn: Fund Owner!
This is Mr Edwin Williams, General Secretary of International Monetary Fund [IMF]. I write this letter to you based on our board of Directors meeting held yesterday to release your unpaid through ATM MasterCard payment method and send it to your house to avoid anymore delay. We have converted your total fund of $850.000.00 to ATM MasterCard and its ready to be shipped, meanwhile you are advise to contact DHL COURIER COMPANY DIRECTOR Mr. Anthony Robert, for the Shipment Track number of your ATM CARD.
Contact Mr. Anthony Robert Director Of D.H.L Courier Company India via the following information below:
Mr. Anthony Robert
D.H.L Courier Company India.
D.H.L Office Phone: +918860234179
D.H.L Office E-Mail: dhlcourier050@itbox.ro
Do reconfirm the following information to Mr. Anthony Robert to avoid wrong delivery:
YOUR FULL NAME:
HOUSE ADDRESS:
CELL NUMBER:
PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
AGE:
COUNTRY:
We told Mr. Anthony Robert that you will contact him soon for the shipment of your ATM MASTER CARD and you are advice to use the following code as Subject when contacting him: the code is (Imf-7710). Your ATM Pin-code will be given to you as soon as you contact him. Have a nice day.
Yours In Service
Mr Edwin Williams
IMF General Secretary
|
Anti-fraud resources:
