|
|
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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: COMMONWHEALTH COMMISSION <aircouriercompay@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: commonwheathcommission@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 12:13:49 +0100 (BST)
Subject: From Commonwealth Commission
Attn Friend,
We have instruction to contact you as one of the listed beneficiaries
whose payments are long overdue but delayed as a result of Corruption on
the part of some of the officials of the African countries involved.
The United Nation in conjunction with Commonwealth Member States has
given clarification on the latest mode of payment of Debts owed to the
listed Beneficiaries which includes an approval of US$10 million to be
paid as follows;
Online Account cash transfer using the services of BNP PARIBAS FORTIS BANK SA.
You should therefore take note of the following:
(1) Reconfirm your particulars- names, address, Telephone /fax numbers
(2)Send the first and second pages of your international Passport or
Driver's license for the purposes of identification/Opening of Account
with the Bank for immediate transfer of the approved $10million into
your account.
Upon your response, the necessary documents for the transaction will be forwarded to you.
Best regards,
Dr Alex Smith(Director of Operations)
Contact Number: +447924012171
|
Anti-fraud resources:
