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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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "delexpresscs@outlook.fr" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Rose E Hassan." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <delexpresscs@outlook.fr>
Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2016 17:56:55 +0100
Subject: Is Mr.TROY COPELAND your next-of-kin ?
Information,
This notice is to inform you that your name was among the list of people to be paid and your credited BANK DRAFT sum of ($5.5Million) has been converted into a atm visa card and registered with the Del Express Courier Service company for delivery.
Today, we received an email from Mr.TROY COPELAND, who claim to be your relative and wants the atm card release to him as your next-of-kin.
Kindly contact the DeL Express Courier Service delivery officer : Mr Frank Obet on Email : mrfrankobet@yandex.com / delexpresscs@outlook.fr for confirmation if the socalled Mr.TROY COPELAND, is right to avoid released of the atm card to wrong persons.
Regards,
Mrs Rose E Hassan.
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Anti-fraud resources: