|
|
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:
- "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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "million us 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.
- 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.
- fedexcourier_companyplc1987@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Peter More" <kaka524@verizon.net>
Reply-To: fedexcourier_companyplc1987@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 00:42:37 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FedEx Courier Company Ltd
Attn: My Good Friend,
How are you doing together with your Family,
I am Written to informed you that I have cashed your Bank Draft of 2.5 million us dollars, And deposited it with the FedEx Express Courier Company with Registration Number Fed/122p/mtm/2010 Zip Code; 0113389.Try to send them all your information’s also the only money you advised to pay is your security Keeping fee to enable them deliver the Consignment Box to your given address. Reconfirm your information to them and also ask the director to issue your delivering airway bill once you send them the fee.
Please write a letter of application to the given address below.
Contact: Mr. UDA (District)
Manager :( FedEx Courier Company Ltd)
Contact Phone : +229 9836 5568
Contact e-mail: (fedexcourier_companyplc1987@yahoo.com.hk)
Here in the information’s needed:
1. Your full name
2. Your home address
3. Your Occupation
4. A copy of your picture
5. Your direct telephone number
6. Your country
Best Regards,
>From Mr. Peter More
|
Anti-fraud resources:
