|
|
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:
- "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 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: "Chief Dr. Ifeanychikuw Chidi" <test@splendo.com>
Reply-To: chiefdr.ifeanychikuw_chidi@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:22:02 +0200
Subject: Payment Approve On Your Favor Name An Hour Ago
Payment Approve On Your Favor An Hour Ago
It just comes to my notice right now by Mr. Reuben Abati the Special
Adviser to His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Federal Republic
of Nigeria to make sure you receive your compensation payment of
$2.5Million United States Dollars before the sitting President who lost
the March 28 Election will leave the Office..
Base on this, I am contacting you right now to inform you that you receive
this payment in your own choice as listed with the fee to complete the
Transaction.
1, Online Bank will cost you $95
2, Certify Bank Draft will cost you $70
3, ATM Card. Will cost you $87
4, Delivering In Cash will cost you $285
You are now advice to make your choice as soon as you receive this email
today and get back to enable this great reward from His Excellency Dr.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan achieve by you.
Note: if you are not willing or not interested kindly indicate so that I
will send the Fund back to Federal Reserve Account.
For more verification pls call: +234-8122038715
Thanks And Be Bless
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Chief Dr. Ifeanychikuw Chidi
Text Message +234-8122038715
|
Anti-fraud resources:
