|
|
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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "microsoft lottery" (no such lottery exists)
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "microsftclaimsunit@live.co.uk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
- +447017039436 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: MICROSOFT PROMOTION AWARD CORPORATION <lateefats@eircom.net>
Reply-To: MICROSOFT PROMOTION AWARD CORPORATION <microsftclaimsunit@live.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2010 14:58:28 +0100 (IST)
Subject: CONGRATULATION !!! YOUR EMAIL HAS WON A MICROSOFT 2010 PROMOTION
>From The Desk Of Microsoft Lottery
Thames Valley Park
Reading Berkshire RG6 1WG.
United Kingdom.
Microsoft Corporation wish to notify all online customers as we celebrates
the 35th year anniversary 2010; and also to inform you that you have
emerged one of the beneficiary Selected in this ongoing 35th Anniversary
Program in conjunction with the Foundation of Software Products (F.P.S.)
A Bank Draft will be issued in your name by Microsoft Corporation Board UK
(MCSP), you have therefore won the entire sum of £1.000.000.00.
(One Million Great Britain Pounds)
CONTACT EVENTS MANAGER
Mr Paul Adam
Email:microsftclaimsunit@live.co.uk
Phone: +447017039436
Provide below information for validation of your prize
.Residential Address:
.Tel (Mobile):
.Nationality/Country:
.Full Name:
.Age/Sex:
.Occupation/Position
.Country:
.State:
Note: your award security information (Data File Number:
UK/9420X2/68Ref.Code:0087955827499, Grant Number: MSC/0080648302/07)
Congratulations from the Staffs & Members of Microsoft Board Commission.
©2010 Microsoft Corporation®
|
Anti-fraud resources:
