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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:
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "ppbrown207@gmx.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.
- +447024014360 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- ppbrown2006@aol.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Patrick Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <eulcdept@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:01:20 -0700
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT
From: Patrick Brown
Tel: +44 702 401 4360
Email: ppbrown2006@aol.com
Email: ppbrown207@gmx.com
The Payment Beneficiary,
I am a Diplomat Patrick Brown, I have been mandated to deliver your payment to you in your country of residence using the diplomatic system of delivery. We are aware that you have pursued these funds vigorously to be wired to you through bank to bank transfer and this has failed.
The funds have now been repackaged in two diplomatic boxes with you as the beneficiary of the funds following details contained in the documents attached to the transaction, a letter of authority was signed by Mr. Michael Gerald of the Financial Services Authority mandating me to move these funds via the diplomatic means to you in your country.
To enable me carry out the movement of this package you are required to reconfirm your details thus:
1. Full Name
2. Address (where you want delivery to be made)
3. Direct Telephone Numbers
4. Date of Birth
We may also require a copy of your identification. After verification of the information with what I have on file, I shall contact you so that we can make arrangements on the exact time I will be bringing your package to your residential address or any address as mentioned by you in the process of this delivery
We await your quick response to this email to enable us carry out the process of delivery.
Regards
Patrick Brown
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