|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
- emailwilliamsgents@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Micheal Douglas <worldpromopromotion@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:23:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: contact your agent Doris Williams
Dear sir/ Madam,
This is a promo.
This is a world cup promotion.
I am contacting you through your email
the appointed claim agent for the immediate release of
your winning prize You have been awarded the sum of$850.000.00 dollars to your email ID on our
online monthly promotion,to claim your
prize, contact Mrs Doris Williams
Emailwilliamsgents@hotmail.com
with the following
informations given below:
1.Your Full Name
2.Full Address
3.Marital Status
4.Occupation
5.Age
6.Sex
7.Nationality
8.Country Of Residence
9.Telephone Number
Regards
Micheal Douglas
Please view the attachment
for more details.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
