|
|
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:
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- courierservicedhl46@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: DHL OFFICE COMPANY BENIN <platinluca5@gmail.com>
Reply-To: courierservicedhl46@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2015 09:06:27 +0100
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT VISA CARD FUND
--
DHL INTERNATIONAL OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
DHL Delivery Services Company
Contact Person: Mr.Andre David
Email:(courierservicedhl46@yahoo.com.hk)
Tel:+22968686157
TO You Package Owner,
Please contact DHL COMPANY MANAGER for your payment (VISA CARD)
contact Email (courierservicedhl46@yahoo.com.hk)
Dear Beneficiary:
You are among the individuals listed to receive a total of
USD250,000.00 as a âLoss Funds Reimbursementâ. These payments are
issued to individuals and entities that lost funds through their
engagements in previous business or Fraudulent Activities in Ecowas
Community/West African States.
For oral discussion, you can reach us on email or call this office
telephone line given to you above as soon as you receive this
important message for further directions and also update us on any
development from the above mentioned office.
I wait for your urgent response.
Best Regard,
DHL Delivery Services
Contact Person: Mr.Andre David
DHL Office Benin Republique
Tel:+22968686157
|
Anti-fraud resources: