|
|
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:
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "atlanticloancompanyplc@yahoo.com" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- atlanticloancompanyplc@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "ATLANTIC LOAN COMPANY PLC" <info@loans.org>
Reply-To: atlanticloancompanyplc@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:40:03 +0300
Subject: APPLY FOR A 2% INTEREST RATE LOAN!!!
Apply for a legitimate 2% interest rate Loan with a registered and a God
fearing company.
Have you been scammed before, or do you really need an urgent loan to pay
off debt, bills or to established a self business then contact us today.
FILL AND RETURN THE LOAN APPLICATION FORM FOR THE PROCESSING OF YOUR
APPLICATION.
BORROWERS INFORMATION
First Name:.............................................
Last Name: ............................................
Permanent Address: ............................
Country: ...............................................
Gender: .................................................
LOAN INFORMATION
Amount Needed: ..........................................
Loan Terms & Duration: .............................
Monthly Income: ........................................
Valid Telephone: ....................................
Purpose for the Loan: .............................
Business/Personal:...........................................
Contact Email: atlanticloancompanyplc@yahoo.com
Thanks and Remain Blessed
Mr.Kelly Peter
OUR MISSION IS TOO ASSIST THE POOR AND NEEDY FINANCIALLY!!!
|
Anti-fraud resources:
