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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:
- "you are required to pay " (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 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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "unitedstatespostal@att.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
- charlesrettig0@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA <dfgfswer34234@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kristalinageorgieva106@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 16 May 2022 18:33:41 -0700
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?=F0=9F=9B=91_UNITED_STATES_POSTAL_SERVICE?=
THE (UN)/(ECO WAS) FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC MELTDOWN COMPENSATION.(
WORLD BANK ASSISTED PROJECT) A WORLDWIDE COMPENSATION FOR THE CURRENT
ECONOMIC
MELTDOWN.CONGRATULATION
I HAVE FINALLY REGISTERED YOUR ATM MASTER CARD WITH DHL COURIER
COMPANY THIS MORNING AFTER THE AGREEMENT TO PAY YOU VIA DEBIT CARD
WHICH WILL ALLOW YOU TO WITHDRAW FROM ANY AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE
AROUND YOU. AS WE AGREED, AND THE DELIVERY WILL TAKE OFF IMMEDIATELY
YOU MADE CONTACT WITH THEM BASED ON MY AGREEMENT WITH DHL DIRECTOR
MR.DESTINY BRIGHT,
CONTACT THEM WITH YOUR DELIVERY INFORMATION AS FOLLOW
YOUR NAME_______________
YOUR HOME ADDRESS_______
YOUR ID COPY____________
DIRECT PHONE NUMBER____
USPS OFFICE:UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
CONTACT PERSON: MR.LOUIS DEJOY
EMAIL::: unitedstatespostal@att.net
I WILL NOT BE REACHED UNTIL TUESDAY. YOUR AMOUNT CREDITED INTO THE
CARD IS US$8.5 million dollars THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THEM SUM
OF $150 USD FOR THE SHIPMENT OF YOUR ATM CARD. WHICH IS WHAT THEIR
MANAGER SAID IT WILL COST YOU, I COULD HAVE PAID FOR IT BUT THEY SAID
NO THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN YOU WILL CONTACT THEM, FINALLY ASK THEM
TO SHOW YOU THE OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATE OF YOUR FUND AND MAKE SURE YOU
CONFIRM IT BEFORE YOU SEND THEM THE FEE AND HAVE
YOUR ATM CARD DELIVER TO YOU.
BEST REGARDS,
Mr charles scharf
charlesrettig0@hotmail.com
=
+1 (703) 469-5332
Number billable as mobile number
Country United States
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Anti-fraud resources: