|
|
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.
- 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.
- +447045734213 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- +448709741509 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "HSBC BANK LONDON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hsbc_londonoffice@london.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 05:49:16 -0500
Subject: Bank alert in respect to your fund in the USA//
HSBC BANK PLC LONDON.(REGISTERED NO.1026167).
ADDRESS: 8 CANADA SQUARE LONDON , E14 5HQ ,
UNITED KINGDOM.
Direct Telephone Number: +44-70-45734213
Fax Number: + 44-870-9741509
Good Day,
This is to inform you that your long awaited $21.5Million is already in the USA and will be handed over to you this week.
The entire process of the delivery will be carried out legally and so you have nothing to worry about.
The funds are presently in a United Nations Storage facility in your country and arrangements have been finalized to have it driven to your designated address with a United Nations Chauffeur car.The delivery is scheduled to be effected within the next few days.
The use of a United Nations Chauffeur driven car is mandatory because only such cars are allowed to enter the premises of the storage facility. The U.N Storage facility is not open to members of the public.
Please Confirm your address where your want the funds to be delivered including your direct phone number.
Best Regards
Douglas Flint
HSBC BANK PLC LONDON.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
