|
|
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.
- 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:
- "million dollars" (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- +22993423394 (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.
- police_office43@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Police Office" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <police_office43@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:59:07 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT FOR SCAM VICTIMS
Attention:Beneficiary,
My name is Mr Ruben Moussa the inspector general of police Benin Republic,This is to inform you that the government of this country Benin Republic are rewarding you the sum of $1.5million dollars as one of the scam victim.
We where able to get your email through those that extort money from you when the police got them arrested , One of them gave us your email address. The president of this country His Excellency Mr.Yayi Boni has sent aside the sum of $1.5million Dollars bank draft to send to you through Dhl Courier Company, We thereby have made a concrete arrangement with the DHL Courier Company for a safe delivery to your door-step once the beneficiary meets up the demand of the conveyance.Note that all the deliver fee has been paid on your behalf. You advice to contact inspector general of police Benin Republic Office immediately with your full information for deliver of your draft and also to enable our office confirm that you are the real owner of this Emaill address to aviod any mistake.
Your Full Name......
Your Country........
Your City............
Your Telephone Number.........
The Amount You Lost..........
Contact our Office with this information below for more information and for quick deliver of your bank draft.
Mr Ruben Moussa
Inspector General Of Police Benin Republic
Email( police_office43@yahoo.com.hk )
Telephone Number +229-93-4233-94
Note that the only money you are to pay is just only $125dollar for securing of your Bank Draft as soon as we confirm your information and your payment your draft will be deliver to your home address under 48hrs
God Bless
Mr Ruben Moussa
Inspector General Of Police Benin Republic
|
Anti-fraud resources:
