|
|
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 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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.
- 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.
- 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.
- wb.mensah@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "William Brown Mensah" <sales@tsmedya.com>
Reply-To: WB.mensah@aol.com
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:49:54 +0200
Subject: PLEASE READ AND RESPOND SOON !!
William Brown Mensah
Chief operations officer
African Development Bank (ADB)
Greetings,
A very good day to you. I have an immediate business proposal that
involves US$15,000,000.00 Million Dollars which I will like to invest
under your custody. Once I receive a message from you notifying me of your
interest, the details of the transaction/the terms and condition will also
be made available to you.
Your urgent response will be highly appreciated and will swiftly bring us
to the commencement of the transaction. We hope to conclude this
transaction within 10-14 working days do not delay in contacting me at
WB.mensah@aol.com or call +234 812 651 6663 on receipt of this message.
And please you have to maintain absolute confidentiality as regards this
pending transaction. You have to send me your full name and phone while
sending me a response email.
I urgently await your response.
Best Regards,
William Brown Mensah
Chief operations officer
African Development Bank (ADB)
WB.mensah@aol.com
Phone: +234 812 651 6663
|
Anti-fraud resources:
