|
|
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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Louis Mack <autocari@tin.it>
Reply-To: www_westernuion@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 10:23:23 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Dear Friend
Dear Friend,
My working partner has helped me to send the first $4500.00 to you.
Your first $4500.00 is sent today Contact Mr.Robert Odum
Email (robert.odum@live.com)
Tel: +919971366905
He will keep sending you the daily payment of $4500.00 until your total fund
of $1,700,000.00.are completed.Forward to you
Your contact information's needed ...
You’re name...
Country...
Phone no...
Address/city..
Age/sex...
Also do let me know immediately they have started sending your money, but try
to comply with them to enable them serve you better.
Regard,
MR LOUIS MACK
|
Anti-fraud resources:
