|
|
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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "00,000.00" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rainer Neske" <rnr@gmail.com>
Reply-To: rnrneske@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:23:47 +0100
Subject: Your Payment
This is to notify you that the United Nations (UN) has approved to settle
the outstanding arrears and the long over-due payment which you have been
finding difficult
to receive from international bank transfer. You are required to update
this office and reconfirm your full bank information,contact address and
Mobile number for
onward transfer.
Below Is the Transfer Details.
Date:13/08/2012 11:58: 25 Am
Reference No: D3a63-5e02f-885e
Account Code: QW-21905-AZ
Withdrawing Code: **************
>From : Corresponded dollars account no: 46587921354
Format: Standard Top World Bank
Issuing Bank: United Bank For African (UBA Group).
Current Status: Pending Transfer
Total Amount: $4,200,000.00USD
Currency : USD
Interest: Zero (0.0%).
Upon the receipt of this notification, we would commence with the
telegraphic transfer to your local account
Regards,
Rainer Neske
(INTERNATIONAL FUND REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
