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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "a security company " (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 diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MILETAMIC INC LTD" <md_miletamicltd@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:46:45 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Recall.Certified \Public Accountant
Good day,
I am Mr Melson Alex ,a British /Indian ,and a financial Consultant to a
security company here in UK your financial entitlement was returned to
our Company by the British Government based on your inability to pay
some withholding charges
that kept your fund all these while.
The funds total is :US$1.5 Million and since you were made the
beneficiary of these funds by a benefactor whose details will be
revealed to you after handing over the funds to you in accordance with the
Agreement signed with the
benefactor when he enlisted your assistance in delivering the funds to you.
I am now willing to assist you pay the withholding Charges to enable the
diplomat deliver the funds to you in your country of residence.
I am presently in UNITED KINGDOM and before I can pay the withholding
charges to enable the Diplomat deliver the funds to you, you have to
reconfirm the following information so as to ensure that I am dealing with
the right person
1.Full Name
2.Residential Address
3.Age
4.Occupation
5Cell Phone Numbers
On the receipt of your information ,I will authenticate it with the
information we have here and once it is correct ,I shall contact you on
my
arrangements on when and the exact time the diplomat will be bringing
your package to your residential address.
Kindly note that once this fund is delivered to you I will personally come
over
to your country to enable us split this fund on 50/50 ratio
Do send the requested information for the delivery of your funds as I wait
your
Response ASAP
Regards with Respect
Mr Melson Alex
Certified \Public Accountant
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