|
|
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:
- "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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. GEORGE PICKET" <"WWW."@HNB.com>
Reply-To: "MR. GEORGE PICKET" <georgepickett22@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2018 20:00:40 +0900 (JST)
Subject: DEAR BENEFICIARY...
DEAR BENEFICIARY...
This is Mr.George Pickett, The Director of DHL DELIVERY COURIER COMPANY PLC in Benin Republic. It's my pleasure to inform you that our diplomatic agent left our Country yesterday with your (Consignment box) valued sum of$6.2million usd only) His name is Paul Kelvin. and he have been trying to reach you on your Email about couple of hours now, just to inform you about his successful arrival in with your (Consignment box) valued sum of $6.2Million USD. Which he was instructed by Our D.H.L
COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY to be delivered it to your home address. He is under custom custody over there now.
Now, you need to email him and make sure you fill this information one more time to enable him to delivery your(Consignment box)
to right living home address as soon as you receive this email.
Kindly contact him on this line : +1(202) 843-8056
Fill below gaps correct and completely and forward it back.
1. Your Full Names:....................
2. Home Address:.....................
3. City:........................
4. State:.......................
5. County:.....................
6. Phone Number:.......................
7. Cell Numbers:.......................
8. Valid Email Address:......................
Send the requested information above so that he can proceed. Your airport authorities are there asking him many harassment questions. I need your
immediate text or call to him and please make sure you fill this information correctly so that he will be on his way to your house address once he get done
with them.
Regards
Diplomat Mr.George Pickett
Director of DHL Courier Company.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
