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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:
- "dumorrage" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- "ups_courier9999@administrativos.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Jeff Smith" <jeffsmith298@yahoo.com.tw>
Reply-To: "Dr. Jeff Smith" <ps_courier9999@administrativos.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 03:01:04 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: ATM OFFICE ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL
 ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL
Zenith Heights Plot 87 Ajose
Adeogun Street,Cotonou Benin.Rep
Attn:Payment Notification,
This is to bring to your notice that, I have paid for the releasing of your cheque and the delivery fee to your home address. I paid it because the cheque contains the sum of $4.5million, has less than 20 days to expire and when it expires the money will go into Government purse.
With that I decided to help you pay the money so that the Bank Draft Cheque will not expire because I know that when you get your cheque definitely you must pay me back my money and even compensate me for helping you.
Now I want you to contact UPS DELIVERY SERVICE with your Full Contact information's so that they can deliver your Card to your designated address without any delay.
Your Full Name............
Your Correct Telephone.....
Home Address..............
Country...................
City.....................
Fax Number..............
Occupation................
A Copy of your ID.........
Like I stated earlier The delivery charges has been paid but i did not pay their official keeping fees since they refused.
They refused and the reason is that they do not know when you are going to contact them and dumorrage might have increase. They told me that their keeping fees is only sum of $105 per day and i deposited it yesterday been {25th of September 2014} Call the director Hon. Dr. James Obodo as soon as you receive this mail.
Below is their Contact Information's,
Contact Person: Hon. Dr. James Obodo
UPS DELIVERY SERVICE
Email:( ups_courier9999@administrativos.com )
Telephone: +229 68477759.
Contact them today to avoid increase of their keeping fees and let me know once you receive your cheque.
Regards.
Dr. Jeff Smith
ATM OFFICE ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL
Federal Republic of Benin West Africa.
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