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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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. )
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- +22997017811 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: barrpaul eze <barrpauleze98838944@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <chikeuba@live.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:47:14 +0100
Subject: SEASON GREETING.
Dearest friend, I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund Now, I want you to contact LINK TRUST SECURITY COMPANY on the information below with your full Name Address and Phone number to enable the delivery your cheque wish i deposited with them on your Behalf: HERE IS THE COURIER COMPANY INFORMATION'S.COURIER NAME: TRUST SECURITY COMPANY.CONTACT PERSON: DR. STEPHENPOSITION: FOREIGN DELIVERY DEPARTMENT.E-MAIL: chikeuba@live.com PHOEN: +229-9701-7811 Ask them to send you the total sum of (800,000.00) Eight Hundred Hhousand USD CASHIER'S CHEQUE, which I kept for your compensation CONTACT, LINK TRUST SECURITY COMPANY ON this email: chikeuba@live.com Regards,Barr Paul Eze.
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