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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:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- 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.
- +447035916521 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- +448717119849 (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.
- rev.xavier_francis@rediffmail.com (Rediffmail, India; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- better. please send your reply with details to: rev.xavier_francis@rediffmail.com signed, yours faithfully, rev. xavier francis (Rediffmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "REV. XAVIER FRANCIS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rev.xavier_francis@safe-mail.net>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:50:23 +0530
Subject: RELEASE OF YOUR OVERDUE $6.5 Million USD
Dear Valued Beneficiary,
We wish to inform you that the board of trustees and management of Barclays
Bank Plc and Ecobank International PLC has finalized and have been given an
Immediate transfer order by the Federal Ministry of Finance in conjunction
with the United Nations and Senate Foreign payment resolution committee, to
transfer your overdue fund to you, the approved sum of $6.5Million USD
by this following means of choice below for your own security reasons.
By Bank to Bank Wire Transfer
By Atm CARD
By Bank Draft
BY Diplomatic Channel with two (2) trunk Boxes
The management & board of trustees of this bank wish you to fill out the
transfer form with your contact details and your direct phone number also
with your banking information for the immediate processing of the legal
document that will enable us carry out the transfer of your fund
successfully to your nominated bank account or your contact address
without any further delay.
We are waiting your immediate response with your information to enable
this bank proceed immediately with the transfer of your fund and serve you
better. Please send your reply with details to: rev.xavier_francis@rediffmail.com
Signed,
Yours Faithfully,
Rev. Xavier Francis
Remittance Director.
Email: rev.xavier_francis@safe-mail.net
Tel: +448717119849
Mobile: +447035916521
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