|
|
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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "John F. David" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <john.fdavidd@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2013 01:06:26 -0500
Subject: IMPORTANT INFORMATION: CONFIDENTIAL: VERY URGENT.
ATTN:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: CONFIDENTIAL: VERY URGENT.
I am a banker by profession; currently the manager in account and auditing
department. An opportunity to transfer a left over funds of
(US$42,870,000.00) belonging to a deceased customer who died along with his
entire family in a plane crash is ready. I have also decided to share the
money at the ratio of 60% for me and 40% to you if you will agree to
workout this transfer with me. More details to transfer the
fund will be given to you immediately I receive your good response.
100% risk free.
CONFIRM FACT HERE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
Thank You
JOHN F. DAVID.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
