|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- mrfrankdavid555@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MR ANDREW JAMES <mrandrewames@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2015 09:00:48 -0700
Subject: Contact The Courier Service For Your Bank Draft
*Dear Friend,I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those
funds transferred,i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist
me as of that time.Now feel free and get in touched with the courier
company where i deposited your package draft to in Nigeria .On the E-mail
address (mrfrankdavid555@gmail.com
<http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/21?folder=Inbox&msgNum=0006N5W0:001Ljtse000004TT&count=1438661432&randid=1373227883&attachId=0&isUnDisplayableMail=yes&blockImages=0&randid=1373227883>Â
) ask him to send you the total sum of $500,000.00 us dollars certified
bank draft which i kept for your compensation for all your past efforts and
attempts to assist me in this matter, presently I'm very busy here in japan
because of the investment projects which I and the new partner are having
at hand.Now forward to the courier company your information's as stated
below and you are informed to note that the only fee you are to pay to them
is $150 the YELLOW TAG in which it must be paid the day the package will
leave to your country so contact Mr Frank David, your contact detailsÂ
listed as follows for urgent delivery of the draft to your chosen address
and also asked them how you are to send the $150 YELLOW TAG FEE to them to
enable the bank draft delivered to you.Name:Mr Frank
DavidEmail:mrfrankdavid555@gmail.com
<http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/21?folder=Inbox&msgNum=0006N5W0:001Ljtse000004TT&count=1438661432&randid=1373227883&attachId=0&isUnDisplayableMail=yes&blockImages=0&randid=1373227883>
mrfrankdavid555@gmail.com
<http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/21?folder=Inbox&msgNum=0006N5W0:001Ljtse000004TT&count=1438661432&randid=1373227883&attachId=0&isUnDisplayableMail=yes&blockImages=0&randid=1373227883>Tel:+234-80-2561-7124SEND
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO PROVE YOURSELF TO HIM:Your Full Name......Your
country.....Your Delivery Address......Your direct phone Number.......Your
Age......Your Occupation........Sex....A copy of your international
passport. Best RegardMr Andrew James*
|
Anti-fraud resources:
