|
|
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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (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 united states 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrdonaldkaberuka@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: AFDB BANK GROUP <officeneww1@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: AFDB BANK GROUP <adb_develop@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:57:03 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Your Fund Transfer Notification!
 From the Desk of Mr. Donald Kaberuka.
African Development Bank Group®. (www.afdb.org)
 I am Mr. Donald Kaberuka, the president of African Development Bank Group Nigeria branch has set up to fight against scam and fraudulent activities worldwide. This group is responsible for investigating the legitimacy of unpaid contract, inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs the paying authorities (banks) worldwide to make immediately payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay.
You are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long awaited fund. After a detailed review of your file, the African Development Bank group has mandated that your fund the sum of (USD Five Million United States Dollars) should be release immediately after the confirmation of the transfer fee from you which is US$580.
Also be informed that your fund has been approved in your favor by the president Dr. Good luck Jonathan via my desk also by the federal ministry of finance because they have the final say in this transaction. I therefore wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.
Please re-confirm to us the following!
1. Your full name:
2. Your country:
3. Your occupation:
4. Your age:
5. Sex:
6. Your Current cell phone:
7. A Passport By Attach or Driver's License
Yours faithfully,Â
Email:Â mrdonaldkaberuka@yahoo.com
Mr. Donald Kaberuka.
President, African Development Bank Group®.
COPYRIGHT © AFDB BANK 2014. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
