|
|
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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: mr Jackson Orji <pickupnow921@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jehcharlesjohnson115@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2017 13:35:18 -0800
Subject: URGENT REPLY DEAR BENEFICIARY
URGENT REPLY DEAR BENEFICIARY.
This is Mr. Jackson Orji, The Director of DHL DELIVERY COURIER COMPANY
PLC in Benin Republic. It's my pleasure to inform you that our assigned
diplomatic
agent left our Country yesterday with your ATM Package valued sum of
$7.8m (Seven Million eight hundred thousand united states dollars only)
His name is Mr.
Fred Miller and he have been trying to reach you on your Email about
couple of hours now, just to inform you about his successful arrival in
International
Airport with your ATM VISA CARD valued sum of $7.8M USD. Which he was
instructed by Our D.H.L COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY to be delivered it to
your home
address. He is under custom custody over there now.
Now, you need to email him and make sure you fill this information one
more time to enable him delivery your ATM Card to right living home
address. Contact
him as soon as you receive this email.
Contact him on this phone number and do fill this information to him.
Contact person ..... Mr. Fred Miller
Contact phone ... +1-(203)836,8372
Fill below gaps correct and completely and forward it back.
(1)YOUR FULL NAME=============
(2)MOBILE PHONE NUMBER======
(3)CURRENT HOME ADDRESS= =======
(4)FAX NUMBER= ===============
(5)COUNTRY= ===================
(6)CITY= =====================
(7)NEAREST AIRPORT = =============
(8)A COPY OF YOUR I D FOR IDENTIFICATION.
Send the requested information above so that he can proceed. Your
airport authorities are there asking him many harassment questions. I
need your immediate
text or call to him and please make sure fill this information correctly
so that he will be on his way to your house address once he get done
with them.
Regards
mr Jackson Orji,
Director of DHL Courier Company.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
