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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- nicolasthicozer@rocketmail.com (Rocketmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: NICOLAS THICOZER LAW CHAMBERS <officeunrc@yandex.ru>
Reply-To: NICOLAS THICOZER LAW CHAMBERS <partzento1@yahoo.in>
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 02:32:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: ABOUT THE TRANSACTION
NICOLAS THICOZER LAW CHAMBERS
Advocates & Solicitors
01 BP 1476 Cotonou Benin Republic
(W.A) RC/7568-34
Tel: +229-68460770
Email: nicolasthicozer@rocketmail.com
Hello Dear ,
This message is to let you know that Mrs.Celen Mark is Dead and was buried on 18 march 2012,may her soul rest in perfect peace.However before she past away she made it known to the Finance Company where the fund was deposited that she has made you the Next of Kin over the fund.
Yesterday i received notification letter from the Finance Company requesting that i should tell you to move forward over claiming of Mrs.Celen Mark Deposited fund.
Please Without further delays,kindly move fast and contact the Finance Company with the information's given below also let them to know that you are the Next of Kin over Mrs.Celen Mark Deposit fund and that you are here to know what it will take for transferring of the fund into your account.
LYION TRUST SECURITY AND FINANCE CO.
05BP: 1520 Grand Yoff Sud Cotonou-Benin Republic
West Africa
Phone: +22967254961
Fax: +229 2131117
E-mail: lyiontrust@ro.ru
Contact person: Dr.Bello R. HINCEEN
Get back to me if any legal documents are needed by the Finance Company because i am here to provide it without delay.
Best Regards,
Barrister Nicolas Thicozer(Esq.San)
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