|
|
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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: " Dr Paul James" <"WWW."@joy.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Dr Paul James <homeland421@yahoo.pt>
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2017 21:41:31 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Text Me Message
I received your information's sent to me and it is same as the one I am having for the delivery of your ATM CARD today. Now, due to Scam activities and terrorism, US requirements for boarder crossing and ATM CARD delivery into US has changed and as such it requires a lot of screening for security records which was unknown to our company before my departure. Therefore, So I write to inform you that I have arrived at JOHN F.Kennedy International Airport New York City United States right now with your ATM CARD.
The airport customs authority and the Home land security are demanding for INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY PERMIT from the country of ATM CARD origin (Benin Republic) to prove to them that the customs in my country are very much aware of the shipment of the ATM CARD I have also called the director of DHL COMPANY in Benin Republic to obtain the needed papers from our regional Customs office and forward it to me so that I will clear your ATM CARD and complete the delivery to your home address today,
But the problem now is that the Customs in Benin republic are demanding $137usd for the certificates requested for the clearance by the US customs. So please I do not want much delay at the Airport and I urge you to try your possible best to send the $137usd to the director of DHL Benin republic with the information below through Western Union or Money Gram to enable me clear you ATM card and start coming to your home today and deliver your ATM to your address, thanks for your cooperation.
HERE IS THE PAYMENT INFO WERE YOU WILL DIRECT THE $137 THROUGH MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER DIRECT TO DHL AGENT :
Receiver Name.===FRANK LEVI
Country======Benin Republic
City======Cotonou
Question====A
Answer====B
Amount====$137usd
Yours Sincerely
Agent Paul James
Dhl Director , Dr William More
Text Me Message (7194259702)
Head office +229 999 41635
Am waiting to hear from you now and please comply with me
THANKS
|
Anti-fraud resources:
