|
|
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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "mr-godwinemefielezenbank@skymail.mn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION DEPARTMENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr-godwinemefielezenbank@skymail.mn>
Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2011 00:17:08 +0100
Subject: COMPENSATION BANK DRAFT!!!
UNITED NATION FOUNDATION (UNF).
This is to officially inform you that your International Bank Draft has been accredited with your favor.The International Bank Draft Value with $500,000.00. You are advice to contact our Affiliate Bank ,This funds would be made available to you through your International Bank Draft.
Contact:Mr. Godwin Emefiele,
Email:..mr-godwinemefielezenbank@skymail.mn
We have concluded plans to deliver this International Bank Draft to you as soon as possible.You are to send us the following details:
FULL NAME:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
OCCUPATION:
SEX:
AGE:
I hope you understand the content of these email,We look forward to hear from you soon.
Funds Remittance Department
Director Of Foreign Operation
|
Anti-fraud resources:
