|
|
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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- 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.
- un_company58@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "PAUL PRINCE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <loan_company59@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:51:59 +0530
Subject: URGENT INFORMATION
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE
SANDSAD MARG; 110001011
NEW DELHI.
OUR REF: CBN/OHG/OXD1/2012.
TELEX: 09331 CREDIT/RBI
INSTRUCTION TO TRANSFER YOUR $5.5M FROM RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
After due vetting and evaluation of your file that was sent to us by International Monitory Fund (IMF) Under the direct authorization of the African Union in conjunction with the United Nations residence office India, We wish to notify you that your contract/inheritance Fund will be paid to you via wire transfer or cash delivery by our representative depending on your choice.
This bank has an instruction to see to the immediate release of the sum of 5.5M of your claim that has been delayed.We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going through hard times and passing through a lot of difficulties in seeing to the release of your fund. This has been the handwork of some dubious elements in Africa And London banks.
We have been informed that you have been wiring out money from your country which amounted to over $1,000 and from our investigations we have discovered the whole truth. They will disappear once they are done collecting all your money. I therefore oblige that you respond to this email if you are in this situation presently or previously because we have solution to get this people and also we have arrested some suspects and have gotten re-funds of over $1,000,000, this money could be paid back to you.
Do reconfirm the following information’s and send to this email: ( un_company58@yahoo.com) to send International UN Diplomat arrive your door step deliver your box cash.
YOUR FULL NAME
YOUR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
YOUR PHONE NUMBER
YOUR OCCUPATION
YOUR OFFICIAL AGE
We anticipate your urgent respond.
Regards,
Rev.Paul
|
Anti-fraud resources:
