|
|
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:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "registration fee" (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. )
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (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.
- 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: Mrs Lolita Owen <www.@abeam.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "city.sprint@fastservice.com" <city.sprint@fastservice.com>
Date: Thu, 17 May 2018 08:23:08 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greetings!!
Greetings!!
My name is Lolita Owen. I want to use this medium to inform you that I have registered your ATM MasterCard of US$7.5 million United State dollars with City Sprint Courier Service for delivery, with registration code of (Shipment Code MK222605594CS). You're advised to contact City Sprint Courier Service with your details such as. Full name, shipping address, direct telephone number.
Contact City Sprint Courier Service with the information below:
City Sprint Courier Service (Bangkok, Thailand)
Director's Name: Dr Frankie Chen.
Tel Number: +66654065799
E-mail: (city.sprint@fastservice.com)
Please note: That I have paid the registration fee. The only fee you are to send to City Sprint Courier Service is the compulsory US$98.00 for their official security keeping fee and delivery fee, kindly indicate the registration number and ask Dr Frankie for details on how you can send the US$98.00, let me know immediately you have received the ATM package.
Thank you
Mrs Lolita
|
Anti-fraud resources:
