|
|
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:
- "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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- 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.
- ken.diplomaticagent@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Alfred" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kensholegeorge@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 06:47:14 +0800
Subject: Your Package Has Arrived USA
Attention: Sir/Madam.
Our diplomatic Agent Kenshole Geoffrey George has arrived Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with your parcel with registration code ( AW0009B ) that contained your compensation funds, he needs you to reconfirm your delivery address via his email contact (ken.diplomaticagent@gmail.com or call him on +1 714 927 8570) below is what you need to email him.
Your Full Name:
Your Address:
Mobile & Home Landline #:
Scanned Copy of your Drivers License:
Take note that the diplomat don't know the content of your consignment just because of the safety of the funds in the box so you must not let him know he departed with it as a box containing Asian jewelries and Family treasure so if you are having any problem with him please call our Shipping COurier Head Office and get in contact with the customer care +60 169-084-577 for more clarification.
Best regards
Dr Alfred Gomez - Cargo Manager
Sea & Air Diplomatic Cargo Logistics
+60 169-084-577
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the recipient name. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda
Plot 42 Bukoto Street
P.O. BOX 12464,
Kampala, Uganda
www.icpau.co.ug
|
Anti-fraud resources:
