|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
- tomayoatunoffice@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Tom Garry." (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 13:06:43 +0100
Subject: DELIVERY NOTIFICATION
International Commercial Bank of Ghana
1144 KINGS WAY ROAD ACCRA GHANA.
Foreign Payment Director
Mr. FAROUK BAKO.
GHANA OFFICE.
RE: SHIPMENT OF YOUR CONTRACT AND INHERITANCE PAYMENT
Dear beneficiary,
This is to inform you that arrangements has been concluded regarding to the
shipment of your contract/inheritance payment.
The consignment left Ghana yesterday night to your state via London-Delivery
Company UK.
There are two boxes in all,
Please do not disclose to the delivering diplomat the contents of the
consignment, as that might jeopardize the safety of the transaction knowing the
content cash values as the beneficiary who has the right to know.
The boxes were declared as containing diplomatic contract and inheritances
payment documents only to the delivery company for security reasons.
Contact the delivery Company in London on Email:
tomayoatunoffice@rediffmail.com
Contact person Mr. TOM AYO, to confirm the estimated time of delivery to
your address.
The name of the security company is NORTH TECH SECURITY COMPANY LTD, LONDON UK.
The tracking number of the consignment is ACI 0018 0389 9VRM.
Do remember, you have to keep this transaction very confidential for fear of
betrayal of trust.
Get back to me as soon as you get this mail for the combinations to unlock your
boxes the moment you receives the consignment.
Best Regards
Mr. Farouk Bako.
OFFICE OF ACCRA GHANA.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
