|
|
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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- lambch.202@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Chalton Walters" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lambch.202@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 03:53:09 +0400
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION FROM THE UNITED NATIONS/IMF
Attention: Beneficiary,
We hope that this notification meets well.
We have been having meetings for the past 2 months with the secretaries of the UNITED NATIONS and The IMF.
This notification is sent to all the foreign nationals that have been scammed in their effort to claim their winning, contract and inheritance funds due to governmental problems/policies and impersonators etc.
The UNITED NATIONS in conjunction with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have agreed to compensate victims with the sum of US$1,200,000.
We treat only legitimate cases. We are contacting you because we found your name in our list.
You are advised to contact our UK appointed paying financial institution immediately with your full Names and telephone numbers. They will help you with your compensation.
Investec Bank plc.
2 Gresham Street EC2V 7QP United Kingdom.
Contact Name: Dr. Albert Smith
Email:lambch.202@gmail.com
Telephone:+44 787 482 5840.
We believe this will serve as a relief to you while efforts are being made to correct those irregularities.
Hoping to hear from you as soon as you get your compensation.
Making the world a better place.
Regards,
Chalton Walters
FOR UN Secretary GENERAL (UNITED NATIONS).
|
Anti-fraud resources:
