|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "into 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)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- desmorgan77@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Desmond Morgan" <desmorgan77@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:48:15 -0400
Subject: urgent responds
Dear Valued Beneficiary,
We wish to inform you that the board of trustees and management has
finalized and have being given an Immediate transfer order by the Federal
Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the Senate Foreign payment
resolution committee, to transfer your overdue Inheritance fund to you, the
approved sum of USD 2.500,000,00(Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars) also be informed that we are prepared to give you the best
of services with a guarantee that your Approved Fund will be wire into your
nominated Bank account within 4 Bank working days as soon as you complete
all the transfer procedures with any option you prefer to receive your fund
below :
By Bank Wire Transfer
By Diplomatic Channel
We wish you to furnish out to us your contact details and your direct phone
number for the immediate processing of all legal document`s that will enable
us carry out the transfer of your fund successfully without any further
delay.
We await your immediate response with your information to enable us proceed
immediately and serve you better.
Mr.Desmond Morgan
Remittance Director.
Head International Banking Division
Tel:+234-813-116-1543
Email: desmorgan77@gmail.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
