Avoiding Email Scams
Email Scams
An email scam offers the receiver a bogus finanicial gain or windfall, but in order to claim it, they have to pay asome kind of admin fee or give out personal details such as:- Name
- Date of birth
- Address and contact Number
- Bank Account number
- ID or social security number
An inheritance
If someone really died and left you money, you would be hearing about it from a lawyer by registered mail, not by email. Here is an actual bogus email, analysed to show how it it swritten to gain trust.
From Mr.Lain Foreman
P.O.BOX 3038,57
VICTORIA STREET,
LONDON SW1H,
UNITED KINGDOM (A formal looking address but the postal code is incomplete and the 57 should be on the next line) Greetings to you, Before I introduce myself, I wish to inform you that this letter is not a hoax mail and I urge you to treat it serious. This letter must come to you as a big surprise, but I believe it is only a day that people meet and become great friends and business partners. (this is a pre-emptive non-hoax reassurance to stop you from hitting the delete button without reding further) My name is Mr. Lain Foreman the present branch Manager of a bank here in LONDON-UK. I write you this proposal in good faith, believing that I can trust you with the information I am about to reveal to you. Like I said, I have a transaction that will benefit both of us, as your assistance is required as a foreigner. (A Bank manager of a bank in LONDON, gives the impression that he holds a relevant position of trust) I use to head the Accounts department in NATWEST BANK PLC, LONDON-UK. head office, but last December. I was asked to take position of a Manager of our branch here in Uk who passed on, so that was how I became the present Manager and discovered a fortune. As I resumed duty, (Better still, not just a bank manager, but from head office too!) I discovered an account with total sum of £12.500 000,000 (Twelve Million Five Hundred thousand pounds Sterling) that has not been operated on for the past 5 years. From my investigation,I found out that this account belongs to a foreigner by name MR. JOHN SHUMEJDA , who unfortunately lost his life in the plane crash of Birmingham Airport on 4th Jan 2002, including his entire family. You shall read more news about the crash on visiting this website which I got during my investigation; http://www.cwn.org.uk/business/a-z/a/agco/2002/01/020104-air-crash.htm (Do I have your attention now? there's a link to a real webpage too!) The account is escrow call account, a secret type of account in my bank and no other person knows about this account or any thing concerning it,the account has no other beneficiary. I have kept a close monitoring of the account since then and nobody has come forward to ask about the money as next of kin to the late MR. JOHN SHUMEJDA, meaning that no one is aware of the account. I cannot directly take out this money without the help of a foreigner and that is why I am contacting you for an assistance to claim the funds and share it with me. As the Manager of my bank branch,I have the power to influence the release of the funds to any foreigner that comes up as the next of kin to the account, with the correct information concerning the account, which I shall give you. I am seeking your co-operation to present you as the next of kin to the account, so that my bank head quarters will release the funds to you. There is practically no risk involved, the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. (Incase you are wondering, yes its all legal!) I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful.I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to late Mr.JOHN SHUMEJDA. (For you to think: All the footwork is already done, I dont even have to leave my chair) If you accept to work with me, I want you to state how you wish us to share the funds in percentage, so that both parties will be satisfied. Contact me as soon as you receive this message if you feel we can work together, so we can go over the details with out any delay. and send the information’s below (For you to think: WOW, my cut of $12,500,000, that's more than I will ever earn in a lifetime) Full Names:
Age:
Occupation:
Nationality:
Mobile Telephone:
Sex:
Contact me via this email address
Email: lainforeman1@yahoo.co.uk
Thanking you in advance and may God bless you. Please, treat with utmost confidentiality. I wait for your urgent response. (For you to think: surely a man of god is honet?)) Regards,
Mr.Lain Foreman
P.O.BOX 3038,57
VICTORIA STREET,
LONDON SW1H,
UNITED KINGDOM (A formal looking address but the postal code is incomplete and the 57 should be on the next line) Greetings to you, Before I introduce myself, I wish to inform you that this letter is not a hoax mail and I urge you to treat it serious. This letter must come to you as a big surprise, but I believe it is only a day that people meet and become great friends and business partners. (this is a pre-emptive non-hoax reassurance to stop you from hitting the delete button without reding further) My name is Mr. Lain Foreman the present branch Manager of a bank here in LONDON-UK. I write you this proposal in good faith, believing that I can trust you with the information I am about to reveal to you. Like I said, I have a transaction that will benefit both of us, as your assistance is required as a foreigner. (A Bank manager of a bank in LONDON, gives the impression that he holds a relevant position of trust) I use to head the Accounts department in NATWEST BANK PLC, LONDON-UK. head office, but last December. I was asked to take position of a Manager of our branch here in Uk who passed on, so that was how I became the present Manager and discovered a fortune. As I resumed duty, (Better still, not just a bank manager, but from head office too!) I discovered an account with total sum of £12.500 000,000 (Twelve Million Five Hundred thousand pounds Sterling) that has not been operated on for the past 5 years. From my investigation,I found out that this account belongs to a foreigner by name MR. JOHN SHUMEJDA , who unfortunately lost his life in the plane crash of Birmingham Airport on 4th Jan 2002, including his entire family. You shall read more news about the crash on visiting this website which I got during my investigation; http://www.cwn.org.uk/business/a-z/a/agco/2002/01/020104-air-crash.htm (Do I have your attention now? there's a link to a real webpage too!) The account is escrow call account, a secret type of account in my bank and no other person knows about this account or any thing concerning it,the account has no other beneficiary. I have kept a close monitoring of the account since then and nobody has come forward to ask about the money as next of kin to the late MR. JOHN SHUMEJDA, meaning that no one is aware of the account. I cannot directly take out this money without the help of a foreigner and that is why I am contacting you for an assistance to claim the funds and share it with me. As the Manager of my bank branch,I have the power to influence the release of the funds to any foreigner that comes up as the next of kin to the account, with the correct information concerning the account, which I shall give you. I am seeking your co-operation to present you as the next of kin to the account, so that my bank head quarters will release the funds to you. There is practically no risk involved, the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. (Incase you are wondering, yes its all legal!) I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful.I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to late Mr.JOHN SHUMEJDA. (For you to think: All the footwork is already done, I dont even have to leave my chair) If you accept to work with me, I want you to state how you wish us to share the funds in percentage, so that both parties will be satisfied. Contact me as soon as you receive this message if you feel we can work together, so we can go over the details with out any delay. and send the information’s below (For you to think: WOW, my cut of $12,500,000, that's more than I will ever earn in a lifetime) Full Names:
Age:
Occupation:
Nationality:
Mobile Telephone:
Sex:
Contact me via this email address
Email: lainforeman1@yahoo.co.uk
Thanking you in advance and may God bless you. Please, treat with utmost confidentiality. I wait for your urgent response. (For you to think: surely a man of god is honet?)) Regards,
Mr.Lain Foreman
A lottery win
These kinds of scam do not ask for your details up front to avoid making you feel uncomfortable, instead, they invite you to reply to build up a relationship fo trust so that you will eventually be asked to send them money to process your winnings and hand over you accountn details so that your winnings can be transferred to you.
MEGAFORTUNE LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF: MLI/231-ILGI0431/04
BATCH: IPD/17/096/PTNL (Official looking references to boost authenticity!)
RE: WINNING FINAL NOTIFICATION Sir/Madam, We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 17th of January 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 20511465897-6291 with serial number 472-971103 drew lucky numbers 8-66-97-22-71-64 which consequently won in the 3rd category, you have therefore been approved for a sum pay out of US$ 500,000 000. (five hundred Thousand United States Dollars). CONGRATULATIONS!!! Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information very confidential till your claims has been processed and your prize/money Remitted toyou. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 200,000,000 company and 300,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place annually. We hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next year USD10 million international lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our/your fiducial agent MR.PHILIP GERE of the, MECURY TRUST AGENT TEL: +31-621-488-708 FAX: +31-645-236-856 Email: philipgere900@netscape.net Note that all winning must be claimed not later than 3rd of February 2005. After this date all unclaimed, funds will be included in the next stake. (A time limit to force you in to action soon, note that they even ask you to keep it secret incase you show it to a friend or relative that may think its a fake and tell you to dump the email. The agent's company name even has the word TRUST in it.) Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program. Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified. (Gives the impressin that they are law abidding!) Sincerely yours,
Mrs Ellen Kloos,
Lottery Coordinator
. REPLY EMAIL TO philipgere900@netscape.net
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF: MLI/231-ILGI0431/04
BATCH: IPD/17/096/PTNL (Official looking references to boost authenticity!)
RE: WINNING FINAL NOTIFICATION Sir/Madam, We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 17th of January 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 20511465897-6291 with serial number 472-971103 drew lucky numbers 8-66-97-22-71-64 which consequently won in the 3rd category, you have therefore been approved for a sum pay out of US$ 500,000 000. (five hundred Thousand United States Dollars). CONGRATULATIONS!!! Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information very confidential till your claims has been processed and your prize/money Remitted toyou. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 200,000,000 company and 300,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place annually. We hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next year USD10 million international lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our/your fiducial agent MR.PHILIP GERE of the, MECURY TRUST AGENT TEL: +31-621-488-708 FAX: +31-645-236-856 Email: philipgere900@netscape.net Note that all winning must be claimed not later than 3rd of February 2005. After this date all unclaimed, funds will be included in the next stake. (A time limit to force you in to action soon, note that they even ask you to keep it secret incase you show it to a friend or relative that may think its a fake and tell you to dump the email. The agent's company name even has the word TRUST in it.) Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program. Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified. (Gives the impressin that they are law abidding!) Sincerely yours,
Mrs Ellen Kloos,
Lottery Coordinator
. REPLY EMAIL TO philipgere900@netscape.net
Help with money transfer
Typically formally written, including a posh sounding address, name, ridiculous amount of money that needs to be transfered indirectly for reasons like country instability or to bypass country laws aka please see enough zeros to hand over bank details.
SHUENN JAAN MACHINERY CO., LTD
No.803, CHUNG SHAN N. RD., YUNG KANG CITY,
TAINAN HSIEN TAIWAN R.O.C.
http://www.soongiant.com.tw
Email: shuenn-jaanmachinery@hotmail.com
Tel :886-5-236-2685, Fax:886-2-6602-1090 (The Address and company name are real if you click on the link online, but the contact details like the telephone number and email do not match, this scammer is hoping that the reader will see a genuine website and not look further, the details of this business have been used without their approval.) Dear Sir/Ma, Please can I have your attention for a moment? Would you like to work online from home temporarily and get paid weekly? Our Company Shuenn Jaan Machinery Co., Ltd. is a company based in Taiwan and we are into Manufacturer of plastic injection molding machines, bakelite machines, dual-colors injection molding machines and accessories supplied worldwide since 1975 with numerous customers home and abroad. We produce various industrial machinery ( machines) & equipments supply ( supplies) you will be glad with our products. We need representatives in the States/Canada who will be in charge of all our payments from the United Kingdom clients/customers. Most of our customers from the United Kingdom pay through Bank wire transfer,Credit Cards, Certified cheques and Cashier cheques which are not negotiable here in Taiwan. This brings our quest to employ a credible and trustworthy fellow as our representative to handle our payments. This would not affect your present job but serve as another stream of income to your good self. Being our representative and assisting us in processing the payments from our clients shall earn you a weekly salary and commission of about 10% of every payment you assist us with. Due to the fact that we can not process the United Kingdom Credit cards here in the Taiwan, we have lost in the past about £85,000 of net income each month because of money transfer delays. Most of our clients/customers who purchase our products need to pay large amount of money through their Credit Card account and this is the reason we also need a representative who has Credit card account to receive large amount of money for our company. Your task is to coordinate payments from customers and help us with the payment process. You are not involved in any sales.
If you are interested, email us back for more information.
Best Regards,
Jack Lin (Mr)
No.803, CHUNG SHAN N. RD., YUNG KANG CITY,
TAINAN HSIEN TAIWAN R.O.C.
http://www.soongiant.com.tw
Email: shuenn-jaanmachinery@hotmail.com
Tel :886-5-236-2685, Fax:886-2-6602-1090 (The Address and company name are real if you click on the link online, but the contact details like the telephone number and email do not match, this scammer is hoping that the reader will see a genuine website and not look further, the details of this business have been used without their approval.) Dear Sir/Ma, Please can I have your attention for a moment? Would you like to work online from home temporarily and get paid weekly? Our Company Shuenn Jaan Machinery Co., Ltd. is a company based in Taiwan and we are into Manufacturer of plastic injection molding machines, bakelite machines, dual-colors injection molding machines and accessories supplied worldwide since 1975 with numerous customers home and abroad. We produce various industrial machinery ( machines) & equipments supply ( supplies) you will be glad with our products. We need representatives in the States/Canada who will be in charge of all our payments from the United Kingdom clients/customers. Most of our customers from the United Kingdom pay through Bank wire transfer,Credit Cards, Certified cheques and Cashier cheques which are not negotiable here in Taiwan. This brings our quest to employ a credible and trustworthy fellow as our representative to handle our payments. This would not affect your present job but serve as another stream of income to your good self. Being our representative and assisting us in processing the payments from our clients shall earn you a weekly salary and commission of about 10% of every payment you assist us with. Due to the fact that we can not process the United Kingdom Credit cards here in the Taiwan, we have lost in the past about £85,000 of net income each month because of money transfer delays. Most of our clients/customers who purchase our products need to pay large amount of money through their Credit Card account and this is the reason we also need a representative who has Credit card account to receive large amount of money for our company. Your task is to coordinate payments from customers and help us with the payment process. You are not involved in any sales.
If you are interested, email us back for more information.
Best Regards,
Jack Lin (Mr)
Here's one on video
What is a 419
A 419 is an Advanced Fee Scan sent by unsolicited email, post or telephone message informing you of some kind or windfall like. If you reply, they will eventually build up enough trus to ask you for money, theses words whould automatically trigger your suspicion:- advance fee
- Transfer tax
- performance bond
- Classic 419: "overinvoiced" or "double invoiced" oil or commodity, which they need your account to get the money out of the country
- Goods and Services 419: Crude oil or commodity trading, where they need your account to transfer money out of the country
- Will Scam 419:Someone has dies and lef tyou money, please give bank details to receive and pay admin/transfer fees.
- Black Currency 419: A load of money needs cleaning, please send money to pay for chemicals and you will get a % to spend.
- Spoof Bank 419: There is an account in your name with loads of cash in it, please send our bank details so it can be sent to you and/or pay tansfer fees to recieve it.
- Lottery 419: You have won money from a lottery you never even bought tickets from, please give bank details to claim
419 in the News
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