|
|
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.
- 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:
- "million 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)
- "million 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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- georgemorgan2001@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "FPO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <georgemorgan2001@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:27:33 -0700
Subject: INSTRUCTION FOR TRANSFER OF $12M TO YOU
OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION
THE FEDERATION PAY OFFICE-LAGOS
PLOT 15 AMA CRESCENT,VICTORIA ISLAND,LAGOS
EMAIL: georgemorgan2001@hotmail.com
FPO/FGN/PR1901-011
DATE: 20TH JUNE,2011
ATTN: BENEFICIARY
RELEASE OF TWELVE MILLION DOLLARS ONLY TO YOU
THERE IS A DIRECTIVE FROM THE PRESIDENCY THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO HIS EXCELLENCY,THE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA TO PAY YOU THE SUM OF $12M-TWELVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY.
YOU ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO CONTACT THIS OFFICE WITH YOUR FULL CONTACT DETAIL FOR NORMALIZATION AND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF FUND TO YOU.YOU ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO INDICATE A METHOD OF PAYMENT CONVENIENT FOR YOU.
THE OPTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. DIRECT BANK WIRE TRANSFER
2. CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT
2. CERTIFIED ATM DEBIT CARD
4. CASH PAYMENT IN YOUR COUNTRY
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AS I AWAIT YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
DR.GEORGE MORGAN
|
Anti-fraud resources:
