|
|
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:
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mike Favour" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <doit4megod@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 23:28:25 +0100
Subject: YOUR SWIFT CREDIT CARD PAYMENT
THE PRESIDENCY
PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN CONTRACT
VERIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION
OFFICE OF THE FINANCIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT
ASO ROCK VILLA, ABUJA-NIGERIA ,
TEL:Tel:234 7035679095
Attn: Beneficiary
It was Resolved and Agreed upon that your
Inheritance/Contract Funds would be
released to you On a special method of
payment which Tag SWIFT CREDIT CARD. You
are Advised to Re-confirm YOUR
NAME,ADDRESS,NEXT OF KIN.PHONE AND FAX
NUMBER TO CLAIM YOUR FUND.
Waiting for an urgent response.
Yours Faithfully,
Rev Favour Mike
Tel:2347035679095
|
Anti-fraud resources:
