|
|
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:
- 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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "dr.humpheryawaa@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Secretary Dr. Jerry Obi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <marylopez.unn@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 13:09:14 -0800
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT IS READY
Goodday,
This is to inform you that I have paid the fee for your Cheque Draft, Due to the fact that the manager of Bank of Africa Benin told me that before the cheque will expire before it gets to you, so I told him to cash $9.2M USD in light of that fact. All the necessary arrangement of delivering the $9.2M USD in cash has been successfuly made with the UNITED NATION DIPLOMATIC SERVICE.Here is the information they need to enable them deliver your package to you immediately they arrive in your country with your Box of Consignment.
YOUR FULL NAME:
YOUR HOME ADDRESS:
YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:
YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE:
A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE OR PASSPORT:
Please make sure you send this needed information to the Managing Director of Bank Diplomatic “Dr. Humphery Awaa (Phd)” with his below contact details.
Attn: Dr. Humphery Awaa (Phd)
Phone: +22996337771
Email: dr.humpheryawaa@live.com
Note that the United Nation Diplomatic Service don't know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a Box of an Africa cloth without their notice.This is to avoid them to delay the delivery of your Box of consignment.I advice not to notify them of the box
I await your urgent response for further advice and guidelines to enable the successful delivery of your Box of Consignment ($9.2M USD).
Thanks and Remain Blessed
Mary J. Lopez
Chartered Secretary
|
Anti-fraud resources:
