|
|
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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.John James" <h.officem007@virgilio.it>
Reply-To: jamesjohn118@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 17:43:50 +0100 (CET)
Subject: MY MESSAGE TO YOU.
>From the instruction I received on (4th ofJAN) from CBN Governor Mr.Sanusi
Lamido to contact you back after all the effort you put in this transaction
with the former CBN Governor Prof Charles.s,however I am Mr.John James the
director of ATM MASTER CARD DEPARTMENT intercontinental I am writing to you as
a matter of fact regarding your fund that has been
release today approve by
the President of (Nig) along side with
(CBN)officials after our meeting today
so this payment will be made through Via ATM CARD or courier service and bear
it in mind that is only $10.5m you will receive now according to Governor, so
you are advice to stop any communication with any body that claiming to be
members of (CBN) further more you are advices to re-corm firm the following
below for
1) FULL NAME.......
2) HOMEADDRESS WHERE YOU WANT
THEM TO SEND
IT....
3) DIRECT PHONE/OFFICE..........
4) AGE/ACCUPATION..........
BEST REGARD
Mr.John James
(DIRECTOR OF ATM DEPARTMENT INTERCONTINENTAL)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
