|
|
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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "you are advice to " (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: "Professor Musa Idris" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cbnbank.org2009@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:59:01 +0700
Subject: (ATM831)
Your ref: SNT/ATM/822
Our ref: FGN /SNT/STB
This is to officially inform you that ATM card number: (5428050011004432)
worth Six Million Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
(US$6.3million) has been credited in your favor.
We apologize for delay in payment and all other inconveniences that we might
have indulged you on.
We got information that you have been dealing with non-officials of this
committee in order to get your payment. We do not know how true it is. If it
is true, you are advice to stop it because there is no way your ATM CARD
will get to you without our verification and delivery approval.
All legal papers for the delivery of your ATM CARD will be processed pending
when you provide the below data for verification and claims.
FULL NAME:
COUNTRY:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
OCCUPATION:
PHONE NUMBER:
|
Anti-fraud resources:
