|
|
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:
- "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. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "dhlcourier03@qq.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.
- 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.
- 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.
- helenmathew405@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Helen Mathew <hleo@helle.website.tk>
Reply-To: <dhlcourier03@qq.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2016 17:10:35 -0500
Subject: YOUR TAM CARD IS READY AND VAILABLE FOR DISPATCH TO YOU .
Attention to you personally!
Good day once again.
Because of the impossibility of your fund transfer through the Western Union network and the banks here , we have decided to convert your total inheritance fund into an ATM MASTER CARD worth $2.8million, You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of $5,000.00 USD is permitted on withdrawal per day until your total fund $2.8million is totally withdraw by you and is ably supported by Inter Switch so you can make withdrawal at any location of ATM cash point of your choice in your country or anywhere in the world.This is to Inform you that i have registered your atm card with DHL Courier service COMPANY Yesterday and the delivery will take off tomorrow morning based on my agreement with DHL Director Dr.Eric Moore.MOST IMPORTANT:
reconfirm your current delivery address to him.Email Or call Him Now so that he can send your ATM CARD to you.
Email:( dhlcourier03@qq.com )
Tel:+22968074633
YOUR CURRENT DELIVERY INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT (Re-confirm) now.
1.Name:................... 2.Country:...............
3.Address:................. 4.phone number:...........
5.Age:...........................6.Occupation.......
Please indicate the registration number (2282797457)
Do get back to us once you receive your CARD to enable us cancel your payment file here in our custody.
THANKS
Mrs Helen Mathew
foreign debt reconciliation office Benin.
helenmathew405@yahoo.com
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
|
Anti-fraud resources:
