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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "attorneygarvin@w.cn" (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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "ATTORNEY GARVIN ABOH ESQ." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <attorneygarvin@webdunia.com>
Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 01:44:54 +0100
Subject: SV : BE INFORMED ABOUT YOUR COMPENSATION PAYMENT.
Hello,
Compliment of the day, how are you doing today? I hope fine! This is to inform you that Rev Mrs.Keli Dama had passed away Two weeks ago at the age of 83 Year old .As the Barrister to the decease I have been instructed according to her final will paper to contact you regarding your compensation payment. Which I read as quoted by her " That the sum of $1,500,000 USD Certified bank draft cheque payment ($1.5 Million United states Dollar) with the Insurance deposit company in her safe treasury vault 778/ITDC should be remitted to you according to the compensation pledge she made with you in the past regarding a transaction she was unable to conclude with you in retrospect".
Henceforth, you are to discard any unwarranted response from any person(s) claiming to have your package fund collection in their possessions .Because I have been receiving a lot of reports that some groups are trying hard to make the collection of your fund collection in the custody of the Insurance Company in London. Claiming that you personally instructed them to make the collection of your fund. That is the main reasons why I am insisting you make the collection now before it gets to the wrong hands.
Should you have further communications, kindly direct it to my private mail (attorneygarvin@w.cn)
Signed:
Garvin
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