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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:
- "clearance 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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "consignment " (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: Diplomat A-Pena <officialdiplomat16@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Diplomat A-Pena <officialdiplomat16@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 May 2015 16:27:02 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Your Package is Available For Clearance
Good Morning
It's me Diplomat Anthony John Pena, I tried calling you back few minutes ago for oral discussion and to let you know that the formal diplomat has finally left for other delivery he has on record.
I have gotten the cost of the entrance clearance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and it is $295.00. If you can try and get this amount, Agent Kevin have promised to help us for the clearance and sign covering note that will free and safe guard your consignment movement against any further inspection until is delivered to your door step.
Please call me right back @ 206-317-4643 or send text message to confirm below details for the payment so we can finalize this solid arrangement.
You have my 'WORD' that your consignment will be released for me to deliver without any further trouble, so I will appreciate your immediate efforts in sending the Inspection Clearance Fees of $295.00 to below name and location through Walmart OR Money Gram Transfer as am struggling to safeguard your consignment and make sure that is delivered to your city address safely.
Receiver: Kevin Kravchenko
City: Henderson
State: Nevada 89044,
Country: USA
Amount: $295.00
I will be expecting your call and sorry for any inconvenience you have been through in the course of receiving this package.
Thanks for your kind understanding as I can't wait to meet you
Yours in service,
Diplomat Anthony John Pena
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