|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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. )
- "cashiers check" (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 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.
- +447031899818 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- drmartinswool_shellpetroleum2007@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Treasury Officer: Dr Matins Wool" <drmartinswool_shellpetroleum2007@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:13:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: RE: OPTION OF PAYMENT (From Dr. Matins Wool)
DEAR WINNER,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
YOU ARE ONE OF OUR LUCKY WINNERS IN THE 2ND CATEGORY OF OUR SHELL PETROLEUM AND BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO LOTTO MANAGEMENT FREE NET LOTTERY PROMOTIONAL AWARD DRAWS HELD DECEMBER 2006/2007.
BASED ON YOUR MAIL AND DIRECTIVES I RECEIVED FROM LOTTO ORGANIZING COMMITTEE TO EFFECT THE PAYMENT OF US $1.500.000.00 IN YOUR FAVOUR, YOU ARE THEREFORE EXPECTED TO VISIT OUR OFFICE IN LONDON FOR THE PRESENTATION OF WINNING CHEQUE CEREMONY, BUT ALTERNATIVELY WHEREBY YOU ARE UNABLE TO VISIT OUR OFFICE FOR THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, WE THE SHELL PETROLEUM AND BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO LOTTO MANAGEMENT WILL LIKE TO SEEK YOUR OPINION ON HOW TO SEND YOUR WON PRIZE (USD $1, 500, 000. 00) TO YOU.
BELOW ARE THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO US FOR PAYMENT:
OPTION 1. WE PAY THROUGH CASHIERS CHECK.
OPTION 2. WE PAY CASH, IT CAN BE DELIVER TO YOU BY A DIPLOMATIC COURIER COMPANY
OPTION 3.WE PAY THROUGH TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER; T/T AFTER YOUR FILE IS DULY PROCESSED.
NOTE: THAT WE THE SHELL PETROLEUM AND BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO LOTTO MANAGEMENT WILL NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENTS FOR THE DELIVERY CHARGES OF THE COURIER, TRAVELING EXPENSES OR THE PROCESSING CHARGES, AS ALL YOU WILL GET FROM SHELL PETROLEUM AND BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO LOTTO MANAGEMENT IS ONLY WHAT YOU HAVE WON WHICH IS $1,500,000.00 AND THIS MONEY MUST BE PAID IN FULL AND HAVE THE PAYMENT SLIP TENDERED TO ALL PROTOCOLS {I.E. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY, OUR MANAGEMENT AND THE APEX COURT OF UNITED KINGDOM FOR RECORD PURPOSES AND AUTHENTICATION OF YOUR CLAIM}.
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR CHOICE OF PAYMENT FROM THE OPTIONS ABOVE AND ALSO RECONFIRM YOUR PERSONNEL DETAILS TO ENABLE US EFFECT YOUR PAYMENT.
WE WILL BE WAITING TO HEARING FROM YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOUR EARLIER RESPONSE WOULD BE APPRECIABLE AS DELAY MAY ENHANCE CANCELLATION OF YOUR WINNING PRIZE.
THIS IS AS A MATTER OF URGENCY.
YOURS IN SERVICE,
DR. MATINS WOOL.
FIDUCIARY AGENT/TREASURY OFFICER.
CELL PHONE:+447031899818, FAX: 447075055677
GLOBE HOUSE 4 TEMPLE PLACE LONDON WC2R 2PG
E-MAIL: drmartinswool_shellpetroleum2007@yahoo.com
PROTECT YOUR WINNING INFORMATION:
---------------------------------
Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us.
---------------------------------
Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell.
Anti-fraud resources:
