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.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
"icbc bank" (not involved with lotteries)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
"to your nominated bank account" (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)
"offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
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.
wangliu2000@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
shall provide you with more details, kind regards, email:wangliu2000@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Wang Liu <spooforever@hypercon.net> Reply-To: wangliu2000@yahoo.com.hk Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:57:03 +0000 (GMT) Subject: Complement of the Day
Complement of the day,
Although you might be apprehensive about my email as we
have not meet before,My name is Mr. Wang Liu I work
with ICBC Bank Head of Operations .I have a business
proposal in the tune of $25.5million U.S Dollars to be transferred to an
offshore account with your assistance.
Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated
bank account we shall then share in the ratio of 70 percent
for me and 30 for you.Should you be interested ,
Finally after that I shall provide you with more details,
Kind Regards,
Email:wangliu2000@yahoo.com.hk
wangliu213@yahoo.com.hk
Mr. Wang Liu