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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:
- "service 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. )
- "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)
- "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. )
- "dhlcouriercompany@groupmail.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.
Fraud email example:
From: Her Excellency Faith Clement <"www.faith."@space.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Her Excellency Faith Clement <dhlcouriercompany@groupmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2017 00:01:38 +0900 (JST)
Subject: GOOD NEWS
Attention Sir & Ma
CONGRATULATION!!!!! After a brief meeting in our office yesterday your cheque
of $8.5million has been converted into cash and arrangement has been completed
with the DHL DELIVERING COMPANY for immediate delivering to your doorstep
without any delay. You are hereby advised to reconfirm your information to the
DHL DELIVERING COMPANY for immediate delivering of your consignment box contain
the ($8.5million) in cash.Your Tracking Number will be send to you by the
Company. You are hereby advised to stop any further communication with other
Departments until you receive your fund from DHL DELIVERING COMPANY.The only
fee you are required to send to Dhl Delivering Company is their Service fee
AND official stamp fee,Please indicate the registration Number and ask Him how
much is their Service fee AND official stamp fee so that you can pay it..The
Dhl company will Direct you on how to send them this fee! In addition to what i
said earlier please … don't dispose the content of the box to them, to avoid
delay and finally endeavor to indicate this CODE N°(GBE009GB) this code shows
that you are the rightful owner of the box deposited in their company, use it
as your subject when contacting them,thanks and have a nice day You Advise to
reconfirm your information below :
NAME:............................
SEX:.............................
ADDRESS:.........................
TELEPHONE NUMBER:............................
COUNTRY:.........................
YOUR ID IF NECESSARY.
THE CONTACT INFORMATION OF DHL DELIVERING COMPANY
Director General / Dr.Bryon Young
E-Mail: dhlcouriercompany@groupmail.com
Country/Togo
I have given them your address. And you have to reconfirm it to them again to
avoid any mistake on the delivering the box to you remember that I only told
the director the content and he advised me not to disclose the content to any
body including the delivery agent just for the safety of the fund in the box
make sure that you use this code as the subject of the email you are sending
to them GBE009GB) Because this will be an evidence to proof to them that you
are the correct owner of the box.
Sincerely,
Her Excellency Faith Clement
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