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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "security keeping 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. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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 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.
- emscourier@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Adams Williams <adamswilliams@official-bj.net>
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 03:07:54 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY FOR YOUR BANK DRAFT.
Dear Friend,
I have been waiting for you since to come down here and pick your Bank Draft $2.5M.USD (TWO MILLION AND FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) but did not hear from you since that time ,then I went and deposited the Draft with EMS Courier deliver company here in Benin Republic,before I travelled to paraguay where am presently residing.
You have to contact my secretary(MR.Patrick Nelson.)he worked with EMS Courier company i have already intructed him to assist you in getting your package without much delaying,I have also paid for the delivering charges and insurance fee.The only money you have to send to them is there security keeping fee before you can received your packaged.
Don't be deceived by any body.Below is their Contact Address;ATTN: MR.Patrick Nelson. PHONE NUMBER EMAIL:(emscourier@sify.com)
1.YOUR FULL NAME...........
2.YOUR DELIVERING ADDRESS........
3.YOUR COUNTRY .........
4.YOUR CURR ENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER............
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE...........
6.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE/ID..
Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they needed from you. Try to contact them as soon as possible to avoid increasing the security keeping fee.
I gave them your delivering address but you have to reconfirm it to them again to avoid any mistake in the delivering including with your ID or Picture.We are waiting to hear from you as soon as you cash your Draft .PACKAGE REGISTERED CODE NO XGT442.SECURITY CODE SCTC/2001DHX/567/TRANSACTION CODE 233/CSTC/101/33028/CERTIFICATE DEPOSIT CODE SCTC/BN/xxiv/-78/01,
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Mr.Adams Williams.
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