|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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.
- mikeseko_gh@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <mikeseko_gh@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 15:57:43 +0100
Subject: SUPPLY INQUIRY
Dear sir/Madam
We are agents sourcing for reliable companies can supply to our government your product,etc in a larger quantity for on going economic community of West african state (Ecowas contract committee)exhibition contract supply here in Ghana.
We are interested your product and to do business with you or your company, let us know if you can handle this supply;
We need your product list and specification including the price. contact me with this information below;mikeseko_gh@yahoo.co.jp
Our payment terms: is 80% advance payment via (t/t) by telegraphic transfer,the 20% balance will be paid before shipment will completed to your company through ecowas committee.
Yours sincerely,
Mr.Mike Seko
|
Anti-fraud resources:
