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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "deduct your 10%" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "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. )
- This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
- 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.
- drpeterjones000@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Peter Jones" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drpeterjones000@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 17:28:49 +0100
Subject: CAN YOU WORK FOR ME??
Attn;
I would like you to be my partner in business my name is Dr Peter Jones a business man here in London I am an international business man I have customers around the world. I am always facing serious difficulties when it comes to selling to America and Canada. They are always offering to pay cashier cheque which is difficult for me to cash hear in London.
I am looking for a representative in United state of America and Canada who will be working for me as a part-time worker and I will be willing to pay 10% for every transaction which wouldnt affect your present state of work. some one who would help me to receive payment from customers in the State and Canada I mean someone that is responsible and reliable .Because the cost of coming to the State and getting payment is very expensive so I need a trusted person who can send the money in his or her name so that you will cash the money and deduct your 10% and send the balance to where you are instruct.
NOTE; All charges of the transfer will be deduct from the money so you are rest assured that you wouldnt spend a dime out of your personal money. If you are interested get back to me as soon as possible via email.
Name; Dr Peter Jones
Email; drpeterjones000@hotmail.com
http://www.peterjones.com/
If you are interested do fill the form below.
NAME:
SEX :
ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
PHOTO ID:
As soon as i receive this information i will then instruct you on the next information.
Thanks for your co-operation,
DR Peter Jones
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