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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:
- "clearance document" (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. )
- "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)
- "chief auditor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "cashiers check" (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. )
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr David kekeli <kezia.colee@gmail.com>
Reply-To: david.kekeli0@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 12:57:51 +0000
Subject: I wait to hear from you
I am a banker by profession and currently holds the position of Chief
Auditor in our bank, I have the ability to transfer unclaimed funds of
U.S.$ 6.2 m (6.2 million dollars) that belong to one of our late
customer, who bear the same last name with you who died in a car crash
along with his Family and no one came to put claim the funds, if left
unclaimed the fund will be Transferred to the state treasury in the
bank so I invite you to a Deal where we can facilitate the transfer of
this fund, and I promise You 50% as a percentage of the fund will be
transferred into your account, meanwhile here are the needed
information from you for the facilitation of the funds.
1.Your First Name2.Your Last Name3.Your Telephone number 4.Your Age
5.Your Country6.Your occupation
To show you that we are sincere and committed in ensuring that you
receive your funds. And also for you to pay your fee. Here are another
Terms AND Physical prove of payment.
1. Our International correspondence bank will issue a BANK DRAFT OR
CASHIERS CHECK in the amount of US$6.2 Million with your Name and send
to our bank.
2. We will receive the Bank Draft and endorse at the back. We will
send the bank draft to your address free of charge. No fee payment. We
will take care of the shipment fee. You will not pay any fee to
receive the BANK DRAFT of US$6.2 Million Dollars.
3. Once you receive the Bank Draft you will pay US$4895 Dollars within
48 hrs. Once you pay this amount of $4895. Our International
Correspondence bank will send us the 4 CLEARANCE DOCUMENTS that you
will receive and use to deposit and cash the BANK DRAFT OR CASHIERS
CHECK within 10 working days.
4. Without the CLEARANCE DOCUMENTS you will not be able to cash the
BANK DRAFT OR CASHIERS CHECK.
In this above Terms you MUST have already received the bank draft
before you will pay the fee. Be sure that you will pay your fee within
48hrs you receive the BANK DRAFT OR CASHIERS CHECK to enable you
receive your funds as instructed.
If you are okay with these 4 Terms to reply immediately for me to
include in your name in this BANK DRAFT OR CASHIERS CHECK Project so
that you receive it soon.
ONCE YOU CONFIRM AND ACCEPT THE TERMS. I WILL GIVE YOU THE CONTACT
INFORMATION OF THE FINANCE & SECURITY BANK IN CHARGE OF THIS PAYMENT
PROJECT SO THAT YOU WILL DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THEM AS STATED IN ABOVE
MESSAGE. THEY WILL ALSO GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS AND TRACKING NUMBER TO
TRACK THE BANK DRAFT OR CASHIERS CHECK To your address.
Best Regard,
Mr.David kekeli.
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