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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:
- 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:
- "drug clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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)
- "million dollars" (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)
- 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.
- markd347@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: mark david <"www."@woody.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: mark david <markd347@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2018 03:11:48 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention
Attention
You are welcome to desk of Mr.mark david United States Customs
commissioner. This office is hereby to inform you about your pending
delivery here in United States. Which supposed to be delivered to you by
Courier Delivery agent from Africa since last year, but due to that the
Consignment box and ATM master card was lacking up this very important
Certificate of Anti-Drug Clearance certificate during the time of the
shipment which delaying you from receive your consignment box and the ATM
card worth US$7.5 million dollars.
Hence, the Us Government has resolved the issue as your delivery would
be Immediately release and commence on the pending delivery to your
doorstep, This moment You are not going to pay any other fee after
paying the sum of $125 Dollars, as we agreed to release your agent
immediately as soon as you send the $125 across to us.
We have taken all the protocol by our hands as instruction were given by
the United States Government to allow the gentle man Your delivery agent
who has many years experience with Qualified Diplomatic Certificate for
this reason we are hereby to assure You that no further stoppages towards
this delivery until it Arrived to your door step!
I strongly suggest that if we must carry on and have this transaction
concluded for your mutual benefits, then please go ahead and send the fee
to our accountant officer receiver’s info below Money Gram money transfer office.
Receiver Name: _____ henry uya
Country: ____ benin republic
Text Question: ___God?
Answer: _____ Lord
Amount Expected Usd$125.
Once you are through with the Money Transfer as instructed, kindly include
the Money Transfer payment details on receipt of the payment the required
Document that will cover the Shipment to your home will be Obtained with
your name here to immediately release your delivery agent along with your
consignment Box and ATM card to complete the Shipment.
The Us Government and set up this development after they confirmed that
you Funds are legitimate and you're advised to comply without doubt let
this mission work out for your own good. As we have been instructed
Failure to comply according to the instructions for the finally claiming
of the Funds after 7working day the Funds will be return to the origin
country as unclaimed fund.
This email address:(markd347@yahoo.com)
Call or text him :+1 505 545 4933
I and Your Delivery agent are patiently waiting for your response and
compliance to allow him complete your delivery.
Signed/ Approved
Commissioner R. mike brown
A G Commissioner of U.S. Customs
And Border Protection
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