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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:
- 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. )
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "diplomatic agent" ("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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- agentpaul12@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "D.H.L.Delivery Company" <linkertodd@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: agentpaul12@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2011 00:47:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGENT REPLY
DHL COURIER SERVICE COMPANY BENIN DU REPUBLIC
Avenue Mgr Isidore de Souza 41 Blvd Du Mongo Cotonou Benin.
My Dear,
THIS IS MY THIRD AND FINAL MAIL TO YOU!!!
We received your email with the complete of your personal information and your home address in regards of your package that was deposited in our office by your local partner Mr. Ben Okoye. here with this Registration Number;.dhl /122p/mtm/2009 Zip Code:0113388.
The amount involved for the delivery of your package is US$85.00 and the money is to be send down here through western union or money gram with our cashier name below.
And within 48hours of receiving the fee your package will be at your doorstep by our Diplomatic agent for sure becuase the delivery will be over night expresss.
Receivers Name................AUGUSTINE NWEKWU.
Country....................... BENIN REPUBLIC
City............................. ....COTONOU
Text Question...................WHEN
Answer......................... TODAY
And as soon as you send the US$85.00 then send us the Western union Details/ MTCN Number / Sender's Name. Because as soon as the fee is received we will despatch your package and we shall provide you the tracking details for you to monitor the movement of your package while on the transit to know that its coming to you.
The US$85.00 requested is for our security keeping fee and All necessary documents has been tendered by depositor.
Below is picture of your registered box.
Type: Diplomatic Package.
Size: L: W: H / 04:10:13 CM.
Weight: .29kg.
Colour: Brown.
DHL COURIER SERVICE COMPANY BENIN DU REPUBLIC
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. PAUL UZO
Email( agentpaul12@yahoo.fr )
Tel: +229 98892244
DHL International Express Courier
Company Director Benin Republic
CAUTION: THIS INFORMATION MAY BE CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVILEGED INFORMATION. IF YOU ARE NOT ADDRESSED OR AUTHORISED TO RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE, YOU MUST NOT USE, COPY, DISCLOSE OR TAKE ANY ACTION BASED ON THIS MESSAGE OR ANY INFORMATION HEREIN. IF YOU RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR PLEASE ADVICE THE SENDER ON THE ABOVE.
DHL COURIER SERVICE COMPANY BENIN DU REPUBLIC
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