|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- rober_nadi@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: julius-fiankor <julius-fiankor@bol.com.br>
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 09:12:32 -0200
Subject: (ECOWAS)Compensation.04/12/2011.
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES {ECOWAS}
{OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY}
ECOWAS EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT ACCRA GHANA.
RE: CONFIRMATION OF YOUR FINAL PAYMENT OF USD1.7MILLION
(ECOWAS)Compensation.04/12/2011.
Following the protest of the International Community, The World Bank,(IMF) European Union (EU) and Africa Union (AU) and the instruction from the new president of (Ecowas).President Good luck Jonathan.That all outstanding foreigners debts especially contracts/inheritance payment of 40% of their initial fund should be compensated to the beneficiaries with unconditionally.
From the records of outstanding debts due for payment with the Economic Community of West African States your names was discovered on the list of the outstanding, who have not received their payments. Due to your past efforts and attempts to transferred your fund. We wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released
to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Contact the secretary of (ECOWAS) payment reconciliation officer for urgent assistance.
Ask him to transfer 40% of your total initial fund that was kept for your compensation from (Economic Country of West African States) for all your past efforts.
Hoping to hear from you soonest through Email:rober_nadi@hotmail.com
Regards.
Barr. Francis Julius Fiankor.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
