|
|
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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claimsprocessingoffice@aol.nl" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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: "DE LOTTO NETHERLAND" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <claimsprocessingoffice@aol.nl>
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:17:40 +0200
Subject: RE#: WINNING NOTIFICATION
INTERNATIONAL PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT
DE LOTTO NETHERLANDS.
http://www.lotto.nl
ATTENTION: Dear Internet User,
We are pleased to notify you as the "Star Winner" of the De Lotto Netherland held on Saturday 22nd october 2011. This is a reward program for the patronage of internet services and all email addresses entered for this promotional draws were randomly selected from an internet resource database of registered software and domain users.
Reference Numbers: DLN/702/6010/2011
Serial Numbers: DLN/9083651/2011
Category: (B)
Amount: 2.500.000,00 (TWO MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND EURO)
You are required to call your claims agent and also send an e-mail with the contact information presented below:
Contact: Mr. Edwin Van Haaren
Phone: +31-626-636-610
Email: claimsprocessingoffice@aol.nl
In line with the governing rules of claim, you are requested to furnish Mr. Edwin with the following information below:
1. FULL NAMES:
2. HOME OR OFFICE ADDRESS:
3. OCCUPATION:
4. HOME TELEPHONE:
5. PRIVATE FAX:
6. CELL/MOBILE NUMBERS:
7. AGE:
8. GENDER:
9. WINNING REF NUMBER:
10. SERIAL NUMBERS:
11. WINNING CATEGORY:
12. WINNING AMOUNT:
These details facilitate the due process and the release of your winnings prize to avoid unnecessary delays and complications in the processing of your winning Prize funds.
Always remember to quote your Reference Numbers/ Serial Numbers and Drew Numbers in any correspondences with your agent.
Congratulations once again from all members and staff of this program
Regards,
Mr. Hans Eriksen,
Promotions Coordinator.
DE LOTTO NETHERLANDS
http://www.lotto.nl
NOTE: This is an Automated Message; do not respond to this notification email. You should contact the assigned claims agent immediately to process the remittance of your winning cash prize sum to you.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
