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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "HON. LUCY BILLINGS" <upsgroupc1111@gmail.com>
Reply-To: billingshonlucy@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2021 17:32:37 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION REAL BENEFICIARY
--
Dear customer
this man Dr,Michael Mark from your country came to our office today
said that you on the way to go and buy the Steam Wallet card you got
an accident and took you to hospital you died, and we want to confirm
from you today before we are allow him to pay the fee because he said
that his your next of kin and he want to claim this your total amount
of $6. 5 Million dollars to our office here so i am waiting your
urgent reply back to me today before he will pay the fee to claim this
your funds here to our office today so try to get back to me urgent
and here is the information Please make a Choice of delivery for the
Shipping of your funds as they are as charged Below;
Bank to Bank wire transfer: 24 hrs cost $350
atm master Card delivery: 48 hrs delivery cost $325
Consignment box delivery: 3 working days cost $300
western union office transfer: 1 hrs cost $250
money gram office transfer: 30 minute cost $225
DHL COURIER COMPANY: 1 day delivery cost $220
FedEx COURIER COMPANY: 2 day delivery cost $200
UPS COURIER COMPANY: 3 day delivery cost $150
buy Steam Wallet card or i tunes card and scratch it very well and
snap it picture send to me because that is the best way without cost
you any transfer fee
Your full name ..................................
Home address ..................................
Your country..................................
Your city..................................
Telephone..................................
Occupation..................................
Your Age ..................................
your copy id card .....................
Regards,
HON. LUCY BILLINGS
ADMINISTRATIVE CHIEF JUDGE
SURROGATE COURT, 152 GENESEE ST, AUBURN,
NY USA (NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT)
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