|
|
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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "UNITED NATIONS" <info@well.com>
Reply-To: vicokle098@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2016 00:14:25 -0300 (BRT)
Subject:
ATTN:
Today We the United Bank For Africa has decided to package your total fund
of USD $8.5Million with all the needed Documents such as Money Laundry
Certificate, Tax Certificate, Clearance Certificate etc to ensure you
confirm your Consignment safely. We don't want to delay your fund anymore
and that's the main reason we decided to package it in a Consignment box
and send it to you through DHL Company as the Consignment is currently
with them now.
You have to contact the DHL Manager Dr. Victor Okle with your delivery
particulars such as:
Name:
Country:
Home Address:
Telephone:
Postal Code:
Contact them via email as shown below:
Dr. Victor Okle/ DHL Manager
Cotonou, Benin Republic
Telephone# +229 6447 9792
E-mail: vicokle098gmail.com
Note that the fund is in ATM MasterCard. Kindly indicate the registration
code of [#909/DHL/2016] to when contacting them and let us know
immediately you confirm your Consignment from them and be informed that
all you have to pay them to receive your package is USD$89.00 only. Thanks
for being patience while we will be expecting your response.
Yours In Service!
Mrs Lilian Clinton
|
Anti-fraud resources:
