|
|
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:
- 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. )
- "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 service" (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.
- dhl-swiftdelivery2011@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "UN Compensation Committee" <info@atm.org>
Reply-To: un-post222@live.com
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2011 13:21:44 +0530
Subject: Scammers Are Busy Swindling You Ref: RTB /SNT/STB
Ref: RTB /SNT/STB
I am Agent Frank Edward and am here in Nigeria as an
FBI delegate that has been delegated to investigate
this fraudsters who are in the business of swindling
the citizens of our great nation America. Please be
informed that during our investigation we got to find
out that there is a huge sum of $1 million that has
been sign in your favour by the United Nation (UN)
Compensation Committee And President Barack Obama.
And this scammers are busy swindling you without any
hope of receiving your fund.
NOTE: The only fee you were suppose to pay from the
beginning is the sum of $120 Dollars being meant for
security keeping fee. Because the delivery charges
has been taken care of by the United Nation (UN).
You have now been approve to receive your Compensation
of $1 Million US Dollars as a Bank Draft/Check which is
to be delivered to you via DHL Delivery Courier Service.
===========================================
Dispatch Officer Name: Prof. Amandu Charles.
Telephone +234-803-633-2770
Email Address: dhl-swiftdelivery2011@hotmail.com
===========================================
So, furnish the DHL dispatched officer urgently with the
details listed below for urgent delivery of your BANK DRAFT
without no further delay.
FULL NAME:
SEX:
AGE:
PHONE NUMBER
ADDRESS:
COUNTRY:
Endeavor to indicate this CODE (06654) which will prove
that you are the owner of the Bank Draft. Again, don't
be deceived by anybody to pay extra fee except $120
(One Hundred And Twenty USD) being your security
keeping fee.
For more vital information, please visit
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/ik344.doc.htm
De-facto Chief Compensation Officer
United Nations Compensation Committee
United Nations Anti-fraud Committee
United Nations Secretary-General.
Best Regard,
Agent Frank Edward.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
