|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "JAMENS F. U.S AMBASSADOR" <us.ambassador6@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 12:36:00 -0700
Subject: DEAR: SIR/ MADAM WAITING FOR YOUR MASSAGE
DEAR: SIR/ MADAM,
AFTER AN OFFICIAL MEETING HELD WITH THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA AND
MINISTER OF FINANCE CONCERNING UNPAID AND UNCLAIMED FUNDS TO FOREIGN
BENEFICIARIES, JUST LIKE YOU.I WAS VERY MUCH ANNOYED WHEN I FOUND OUT
THAT YOU PAID MUCH MONEY YET YOU NEVER RECEIVE YOUR FUNDS.THAT IS WHY
I DECIDED TO HELP YOU.
I SHALL BE COMING TO YOUR COUNTRY FOR AN OFFICIAL MEETING AND I WILL
BE BRINGING YOUR BANK CHEQUE WORTH THE $5.8 MILLION ALONG WITH ME
THROUGH UNITED STATES DIPLOMATIC MISSION TO YOUR COUNTRY.BUT I WILL
NOT GO THROUGH CUSTOMS BECAUSE AS AN USA AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA, I AM A
USA GOVERNMENT AGENT AND I HAVE THE VETO POWER TO GO THROUGH
CUSTOMS.JUST LIKE I HELPED
SIX PERSONS TO RECEIVED THEIR FUNDS THIS YEAR 2014,
YOUR PACKAGE ($5,8 MILLION USD) MUST BE REGISTERED AS AN AMBASSADORIAL
PACKAGE FOR ME AND MY FLIGHT IS MONDAY NEXT WEEK AND I EXPECT YOU TO
COMPLY WITH YOUR (SEND YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER AND THE ADDRESS WHERE
YOU WANT ME TO BRING
THE PACKAGE TO YOU). IMMEDIATELY YOU SEND ME THIS FULL INFORMATION
NEEDED I WILL SEND YOU THE ATTACHMENT COPE OF YOUR BANK CHEQUE SO THAT
YOUR CAN VIEW THE SLIP.
WAITING FOR YOUR MASSAGE.
JAMENS F. ENTWISTLE
U.S AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA
|
Anti-fraud resources:
