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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:
- 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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "insurance 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. )
- "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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "fedexshipping2011@msn.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: "Mrs. Jane Owelle" <officed@terra.com.mx>
Reply-To: fedexshipping2011@msn.com
Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2011 07:28:35 -0400
Subject: FUND Delivery Notification
Dearest one, Longest time.
I have deposited the Consignment worth sum of US$800.000 with FedEx Express
Delivery Company Benin Republic because I waited enough to hear from you so
that it can be wired through Eco-Bank plc here but because of delay I deposit
it with FedEx Express Delivery Company with your information as you listed
it. I paid them delivery charges & insurance fee meanwhile the only fee to
pay the again is their security keeping fee which is $85.00 because I
travelled to IRAQ to see my boss and I will not come back till next month.
I will advise you to contact them with their contact information as listed
below to avoid them increase their security fee.because I package the
Consignment like box of african cloth and told the Diretor that I have an
african cloth to deliver to my friend which means they will not delay much
unless you delay to send their fee of $85.00 Usd.
So Below is their contact address including their email with the number of
the box;
Attention: Mr Frank Ibeh. Director General
FedEx Express Courier Company Benin Republic.
E-mail: fedexshipping2011@msn.com
Tel: +229 9794 8648
No of box ;# Eg2272
Registration Number:01721457.
Also below is the information they needed to deliver the Consignment to you
to avoid wrong delivery. I gave them your delivery address but you have to
reconfirm it to them once again.
Full name_______________
Home address____________
Country_________________
Telphone________________
Age_____________________
Sex_____________________
Please make sure above information is complete as they promised once they
receive their security fee within 2to3 days your Consignment will be
delivered at your doorstep according to the Director.
Warning. The FEDEX COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY BENIN REPUBLIC don't know the
contents of the Consignment. I registered it as a Box of an Africa cloths.
They don't know it contains money. this is to avoid them delaying with the
Box. don't let them know what is contains. I am waiting for your urgent
response. You can even call the Director of COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY with
this line +229 9794 8648.
Let me know immediately you receive your Consignment.
Thanks.
Mrs. Jane Owele
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