|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (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. )
- "certified bank draft" (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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL <usnyc.customsandborderpatroly@gmail.com>
Reply-To:
US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL <usnyc.customsandbordepatrolny@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:35:09 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: The package shall be delivered to you by SATURDAY THIS WEEK.
Kind Attn my dear,
This is to notify you that your Package that contains a Certified Bank
draft Worth $1.5M which was delivered to me from KATHLEEN STEPHENS (THE
US AMBASSADOR TO INDIA). We have decided to finally let go of your
package and we also believe the package will be used for HUMANITARIAN
DEEDS.
The package shall be delivered to you by SATURDAY THIS WEEK.The delivery shall be
done by AIR COURIER INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY SERVICE (A.C.I.D.S) and the
charges associated to the delivery US $85.55. The package came from
India and the fee must be paid to India by you.
The fee should be paid by you via WESTERN UNION
Receivers name: HASSAN TANA SMAILA
City: DELHI, INDIA
Text Question: WHY?
Answer: MINE
When sending the payment information to me, states down the following information:
Â
1: AGE _______
Â
2; ADDRESS _________
3: NAME AND ADDRESS OF NEXT OF KIN _______
4: CURRENT OCCUPATION _________
5; MARITAL STATUES ________
This is the last and only fee associated to the delivery of your package
from my path, so I urge you to send the fee as instructed today and
receive your package.
Commandant,
Susan Nancy.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
