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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- +22993915468 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- heritage_transit@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: <barrister_ahmed_sadiq10@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 10:57:43 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I have been expecting you to come down here and pick your Cashiers Cheque
Ahmed & Councelors at Law.
06 BP 1409 Akpakpa Dodomey,
Cotonou Republic Du Benin.
6th September 2007
Attention: Beneficiary,
Greetings. I am Barrister Ahmed Sadiq of Ahmed & councelors Chambers. I have been expecting you to come down here and pick your Cashiers Cheque from my client but did not hear from you since that time ,so I deposited your Cheque with Heritage Bank plc in Benin Republic for Wire transfer To your
account, as I travelled to see my family.
Your account has been dormant due to the Time it was deposited ,All you have to do is to contact the HB plc and pay your account Reactivation fee of $205 USD and Present them with your account Name and account information where they will Wire the funds. below is the contact information of the
Transit funds Unit of the Heritage bank where your funds are now awaiting transfer.
BANK NAME : HERITAGE BANK PLC .
CONTACT PERSON: Dr Nelson Shaka
EMAIL : heritage_transit@yahoo.fr
TEL : +229-93-915468.
Let me know as soon as you activate and have your funds transfered to your account as my client is greatly concerned. Have a Nice Day.
Sincerely,
Barrister Ahmed Sadiq(SAB)
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