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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "delivery@imf.org" <imf-org73000000@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: imf-org73@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:18:30 -0300
Subject: IMF Compensation
NO 1 Virginia St ,
Victoria Island lagos
For your Important Notice.
We have Your IMF (Fund) packaged in our custody assigned to be
delivered to your address from the IMF compensation unit Lagos.The
package is valued at $2.5Million Dollar. You were randomly selected
among the beneficiaries of this kind gesture from IMF via an
electronic automated message address.
The delivery agent handling the delivery is on his way to meet with you.
Kindly confirm the following informations to enable us effect the
delivery without delay:
1)Your full name and address
2) A contact cell phone number of yours
3)The nearest Airport to your home.
4) A copy of your I.D eg driving license or international passport for
easy identification as the beneficiary during the delivery.
Your urgent response is awaited to enable us expedite action..
Regards
Mark Girlad
IMF Compensation V.I Lagos
www.imf.org
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UNIVERSIDAD TECNOLOGICA NACIONAL - Facultad Regional Buenos Aires.
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Anti-fraud resources:
