|
|
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:
- 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:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "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.
- 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.
- copeufo1945@yahoo.com.ph (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ali Gilbert Esq" <mblankenship@waspwireless.com>
Reply-To: copeufo1945@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2015 07:51:18 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Re: Contact PASTOR OLANIYI
Dear Esteemed Customer,
We appreciate your patronage and will strive to improve in our service.I
have registered your ATM Card Value is US$950.000 only with UPS Courier
Company with Package Number: 00876538. please Contact them and reconfirm
your full delivery information:
Contact person: PASTOR, OLANIYI ABRAHAM
E-mail: copeufo1945@yahoo.com.ph
Tel: +2347051546935
Your Personal Identification Number is 2041 and you can as well change it
immediately as soon as you get the ATM Card deliver to you. I have paid
for the Insurance and the Delivery fee. The only fee you have to pay is
their Security keeping fee. Please indicate the registration Number and
ask Him how to pay their Security fee so that you can pay it immediately.
CAUTION: Please before sending message, please confirm to ensure that no
mistake is made, errors or mistake are natural, it is strongly recommended
that you confirm your full delivery information before sending.
DISCLAIMER: We are not liable to any mistake made in your full delivery
information as you are authorized to reject it if not acceptable.
Best Regards,
Ali Gilbert Esq
|
Anti-fraud resources:
