|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "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)
- "we will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: John Berry <officeoftreasuryng@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2012 03:59:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
Fax: (202) 622-6415
ATTENTION: SIR
THIS IS TO BRING TO YOUR NOTICE THAT WE AT THE TRESAURY DEPARTMENT HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATE PRESIDENT NIGERIAN REGARDING YOUR OUSTANDING PAYMENT OF 32 MILLION DOLLARS IN OUR CUSTODY WHICH IS DUE FOR REMITTANCE.
BE ADVICE THAT WE HAVE VERIFY THE AUTHETICATION OF THIS FUND AND WE HAVE CERTIFIED IT DUE FOR IMMEDIATE TRANSFER INTO YOUR NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT.
HOWEVER, WE WILL ADVICE YOU TO ADHERE TO THE RULES AND REGULATION BINDING IN OUR CUSTODY SO THAT WE CAN FFECT THE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND BECAUSE IS READY FOR REMITTANCE.
IN CONCLUSION, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR IN ORDER TO SEE THAT YOU RECEIVE YOUR FUND WITH OUT ANY FURTHER DELAY.
DO GET BACK TO US NOW TO CONFIRM THE GENUEINITY OF THIS ELLIGIANCE.
WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU ASAP.
REGARDS
JOHN BERRY
|
Anti-fraud resources: