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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (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.
- davidwhite@mail2finance.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: ZENITH BANK <arinzennalue@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: ZENITH BANK <davidwhite@mail2Finance.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 22:32:05 +0800
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPOND IS NEEDED
ATTENTION MY DEAR,
It is our pleasure to inform you that ATM card value $ 6.5 million USD has been approved and upgraded in your favor. The ATM card number is 4083 0521 0038 7904, and the secret PIN code is 4846. You are advised to immediately adapt to your own PIN when you confirm the receipt of the ATM cards
The card is accepted worldwide wherever the Visa logo is displayed and you can withdraw money at any location of the ATM Center in all parts of the world. A maximum withdrawal of $5000 USD is permitted daily.
We have concluded supply agreement with our accredited Ups Courier Company, the card to be fully insured and shipped by EMS Express UPS Courier - International Parcel Delivery Services.
You are therefore advice to contact the EMS Express Ups Courier DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (This is the address)davidwhite@mail2finance.com
UPS Express Courier
Contact: David White
TEL. +22999729970
EMAIL; davidwhite@mail2finance.com
Advice the UPS Courier your proffered time of visit on delivery, and be informed that your valid ID must be presented to the diplomat before handing over the parcel to you. And also you are advice to content with your full information
1. YOUR FULL NAMES:=========
2. Postal ADDRESS:==========
3. PHONE NUMBER:============
4. CELL NUMBERS:============
5. EMAIL ADDRESS:===========
6. SEX:=====================
7. AGE:=====================
8. OCCUPATION:==============
9. NATIONALITY:=============
Note you will be required to obtain a Security Tag through the UPS Courier (for non-inspection). The Tag will be attached with the parcel to avoid delay by the destination Custom.
Find the attached copy of your debit card. The attachment can be opened with Microsoft Word.
Congratulations,
JOHN LUCAS.
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Anti-fraud resources: