|
|
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:
- "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. )
- "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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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: "Mr.George Raphael" <mwilliams1927@att.net>
Reply-To: benindhl@qatar.io
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 06:45:47 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CONTACT DHL SHIPMENT BOX AWB 33xQT FOR YOUR PACKAGE.
Attn: My Dear Friend,
I have Paid the fee for your BANK Draft.but the bank manager told me that before the check will get to you that it will expire.So i told him to cash $1.5M USD, all the necessary arrangement of delivering your $1.5M USD in cash have being made with DHL COURIER COMPANY.This in the information they need to deliver your package to you.What you have to do now is to contact DHL COURIER SERVICES as soon as possible to know when they will deliver your Consignment box to you because of the expiring date.For your information,I have paid for the Diplomat V.IP box,delivering Charges accept "security fee" because I did not know when you will be contacting them.The only money you will send to the DHL COURIER SERVICES to deliver your Consignment direct to your postal Address in your country is only their Security Keeping Fee,and they will delivery your Cash Consignment box to you. I would have paid that but they said no because they don't know when you will be
contacting them and in case of demurrage.Contact DHL Delivery office with the following Co-ordinate below:
REV.JOHN ROBERT
Contact numbers; +22998837661
Shipping Code: AA7892BD
E-mail:(benindhl@qatar.io)
Please, Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your Diplomat V.I.P BOX.On contacting them note to send them the above informations.
1. YOUR FULL NAME
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3.YOUR CELL TELEPHONE NUMBER.
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE/HOME TELEPHONE.
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE
Shipment Code AWB 33xQT
Package Registered Code No XFT477
Security Code Sctc /5501BDHX/844
Transactions Code 0477/QSTC/117/330478/
Certificates Code SQTCF/BHDN/XXIQ/-78/00
Make sure you send this needed infomation to the Director General of DHL Express Courier Company REV.JOHN ROBERT with this address given to you. (benindhl@qatar.io) Note.The DHL Courier Company don't know the contents of the Box.I registered it as a Box of Valuable items\materials.They don't know it's contents is money. this is to avoid them delaying with the Box.So don't let them know that is money that is in that Box.I am waiting for your urgent response.You can even call the Director of DHL Courier company with this line +22998837661. Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Mr.George Raphael
|
Anti-fraud resources:
