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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:
- "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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "million 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)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Commissioner Ronald D. Vitiello" <"UScustoms."@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Commissioner Ronald D. Vitiello" <us.customs@boardermail.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2017 17:33:12 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greetings from U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Attention
This office is hereby to inform you about your pending delivery here in United
States. Which supposed to be delivered to you by Courier Delivery agent from
Africa since last month, but due to the Consignment and ATM card was lacking up
this very important Certificate of Ownership during the time of the shipment
which is delaying you from receiving your consignment box and the ATM card
since.
Hence, the Us Government and United Nation has resolved the issue as your
delivery would be Immediately release and commence on the pending delivery to
your doorstep, This moment You are not going to pay any other fee after paying
the sum of $220 Dollars. I have decided to handle this issue to resolve it
immediately you comply to enable us release your agent immediately as soon as
you send the $220 across to us.
We have taken all the protocol by our hands as instruction were given by the
United States Government and United Nation, Your delivery agent has many years
experience with Qualified Diplomatic Certificate for this reason we are hereby
to assure You that no further stoppages towards this delivery until it Arrived
to your door step! after sending the fee.
I strongly suggest that if we must carry on and have this delivery concluded
for your mutual benefits, then please go ahead and send the fee to our
accountant officer receiver’s info below western union or Walmart to Walmart
transfer office.
Receiver Name: Tambria Dixon
Country: United States
City : Atlanta Georgia
Amount Expected Usd$220.00 dollars
Sender Name......
Money Transfer Controlling Number........
Once you are through with the Money Transfer as instructed, kindly include the
Money Transfer payment details on receipt of the payment the required Document
that will cover the Shipment to your home will be Obtained with your name. For
immediately release your delivery agent along with your consignment Box and ATM
card to complete the Shipment of the total sum of US$17.5million dollars.
The Us Government and United Nation set up this development after they
confirmed that you Funds are legitimate and you're advised to comply without
doubt let this mission work out for your own good. As we have been instructed
Failure to comply according to the instructions for the finally claiming of the
Funds after 3working day the Funds will be return to the Federal Treasury
Account.
I and Your Delivery agent are patiently waiting for your response and
compliance to allow him complete your delivery.
Signed/ Approved
Commissioner Ronald D. Vitiello
A G Commissioner of U.S Customs And Border Protection
text SMS :+1 469 904-0859
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