|
|
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:
- "million united states dollars" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "International Commercial Bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <remit.icb@accountant.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:15:21 -0800
Subject: Re: Refer/Funds Released Instruction's..
Dear Valued Customer
Attention: Rightful Beneficiary
This is to acknowledge you regarding your fund of $10.5 Million United States Dollars depending here bank and ready for Transfer into any nominated bank account of your own choice.. This fund was deposit with under Escrow Account through the United Nations, Ministry of Finance,other Ghana government bodies..
Kindly get back to us with the below info...
Your full name
Your cell phone and fax number
Your age and occupation
Your home or office address
Your identity....
The above information's will be used to process your fund transfer into any nominated bank account of your own choice.
I will attached my bank I. D in my next message.
I await your urgent positive reply.
Thanks for banking with us
We Serve You Better..
|
Anti-fraud resources:
