|
|
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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- frankben7581@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr. Daniel Ejike" <upscouerir.service@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: frankben7581@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 10:40:24 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY FOR ATM MASTER CARD
My Dearest Friend,
This is to thank you for your past effort and kindly assistance.The money has been transferred into an account provided by a newly found business partner of mine from Sweden.I wish to compensate you for your past assistance,effort and commitments that time to help me out. I have arranged with bank of Africa and issued an ATM MASTER CARD valid at US$2.500.000 for your compensation. Now I am in Switzerland right to establish some business and possibly buy some properties also.
So i want you to Contact my secretary in Nigeria Mr.Frank Ben on his information below,because i kept the ATM CARD with him to be send to you as soon as you contact him
Name; Mr.Frank Ben
Email address: (frankben7581@yahoo.fr)
Phone Number: +2347084405282
I left every instruction with him to send you the ATM CARD.as soon as you contact him, so make sure you reconfirm your address and Cell Phone Number to him to avoid any mistake on the delivery of your ATM CARD. Then ask him to send the ATM CARD to you immediately which you can use to withdraw your money at any ATM Machine in the world.
With All My
Appreciation
Barr Daniel Ejike.
|
Anti-fraud resources: