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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:
- 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:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "atmcarddepartment652@gmail.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- 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.
- atmcarddepartment652@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Atm Card Department <"Card."@juno.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Atm Card Department <atmcarddepartment652@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 20:36:54 +0900 (JST)
Subject: DEAR ESTEEM CUSTOMER
Dear Customer,
How are you doing today? We the U.B.A officials wish to let you know that your cheque of $2,500.000usd have been successfully converted into an ATM MASTER CARD this morning in our Bank as instructed by the United Nation Organization and ECOWAS Officials.
So kindly contact United Bank for Africa 'UBA' ATM Master Card service Department with the email { atmcarddepartment652@gmail.com } or call Dr. Koffi Adams Atm department Manager "+229 993-14-277" and also send the following information immediately to him.
1) Full Name _____
2) Country/City _____
3) House Address _____
4) Sex/Age ______
5) Phone/Fax ______
6) Occupation _______
7) Office Address _____
8} Another Email Address _____
Note: That converting your fund into ATM Master CARD is free of charge. I also want to let you know that the delivery courier company are waiting for the delivery fee and your house Address so they can depart immediately from this country with your Atm card. Contact information is above listed.
Thanks,
Best Regard.
Mrs. Angela Rosok
U.B.A Executive Officer on Foreign Affair Benin.
call this number for more details: +229 993-14-277.
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