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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "00,000.00" (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.
- victorstefan82@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Albert Maloney" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <victorstefan82@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 2 May 2013 12:57:55 +0100
Subject: Re: Albert Maloney
Hello Good Friend,
Good day and how are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I
am using this opportunity to inform you that the multi-million-dollar
business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from Japan
who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. Due to your effort
sincerity courage and trust worthiness You showed during the course of the
transaction. I have left a certified international bank draft for you worth
of $1,200,000.00 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
cash able anywhere in the world.
Contact: Mr. Victor Stefan
New Jersey, USA.
His email address: victorstefan82@yahoo.co.jp
Therefore you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your
correct mailing address where you want him to send the draft to you. Kindly
forward this message to him while contacting Him
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Hoping to hear from you.
Mr. Albert Maloney.
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Anti-fraud resources: